Just a few days ago, we reported that Microsoft HoloLens is being sent to the International Space Station (ISS) to help astronauts stationed there in collaboration with NASA called Project Sidekick. But the mixed reality headset never made it due to a failure that cased the SpaceX rocket to explode minutes after launch.
"The SpaceX CRS-7 Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station carrying a Dragon spacecraft on Sunday, but broke up in a fiery blast just minutes later," a Forbes report said.
Understandably, NASA wasn't all too happy with the loss.
"We are disappointed in the loss of the latest SpaceX cargo resupply mission to the International Space Station," NASA administrator Charles Bolden said in a statement. The resupply mission was carried out by an unmanned spacecraft; no one was hurt in the explosion. NASA also said that astronauts aboard the ISS "have sufficient supplies for the next several months."
"We will work closely with SpaceX to understand what happened, fix the problem and return to flight," the statement added.
As we have reported previously, Project Sidekick's Microsoft HoloLens operate in two modes. Remote Expert mode allows the mixed reality headset's user to be guided by an Earthside expert. On the other hand, Procedure Mode projects holograms onto real-world objects for reference.
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella took to Twitter to express his support for NASA.
Space is hard... @NASA we're with you and ready to try again!
— Satya Nadella (@satyanadella) June 28, 2015
More than just a photo op, HoloLens via Sidekick would have made a genuine contribution towards mankind's efforts to explore the final frontier.
"Sidekick is a prime example of an application for which we envisioned HoloLens being used - unlocking new potential for astronauts and giving us all a new perspective on what is possible with holographic computing," said Alex Kipman, technical fellow at Windows and Devices Group at Microsoft.
It's not clear when Microsoft HoloLens will make its second attempt at getting to space. So are its pricing and release date for us humble Earthlings.
