Nexus S To Serve As Brain For 3 Robots Aboard the ISS 82
An anonymous reader writes "Given the NFC capabilities in Nexus S, NASA researchers are about to deploy them on the International Space Station. Two Nexus S phones will be installed in robotic floating orbs called Spheres (Synchronized Position Hold, Engage, Reorient, Experimental Satellites). They will be performing a variety of everyday tasks like taking inventory and inspecting equipment, which will free up the human crew members for other duties. Currently the Spheres are in testing mode, as the video shows, but are expected to be up and running by the end of the year."
LEO isn't that hostile an environment (Score:5, Informative)
ISS is in low Earth orbit, below the Van Alan belts. The radiation environment isn't that severe. A study performed in the early 90's found that off the shelf electronics were fine for LEO. For geosync and higher orbits, minor shielding was needed to achieve reliable operation.
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=6&sqi=2&ved=0CE4QFjAF&url=http%3A%2F%2Frsta.royalsocietypublishing.org%2Fcontent%2F361%2F1802%2F193.full.pdf&rct=j&q=low%20earth%20orbit%20radiation%20environment&ei=BmgXTrarKIa0sAPB3s3uDQ&usg=AFQjCNHCt82GlFwEYW4z90dov1umXWOh_Q&sig2=O5-vlK7lpRbKEBSzrgSSsw&cad=rja [google.com]