Microsoft working with The Open Space Agency to create first ever 3D printed ‘Ultrascope’

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Microsoft has teamed up with The Open Space Agency (OSA) to create the first ever 3D printed automated robotic observatory, called an ‘Ultrascope’

The device is powered by a Windows laptop and Nokia Lumia 1020, with Microsoft working on an application that will take the laptop out of the loop and allow the whole process to run only on the 1020.

The amazing observatory telescope, with Lumia Camera technology at its heart, allows those who are fascinated by outer-space to take professional celestial photography, right from your back garden, for a fraction of the price of traditional space telescopes.

Ultrascope1

Juha Alakarhu, Head of Imaging Technologies at Microsoft, said:

“We’ve seen many inspired people create and capture amazing things using the powerful cameras on our smartphones, and looking deep in to space with the Lumia 1020 is a remarkable example of this consumer innovation again. It’s great to see that the efforts of James Parr and the OSA with the Ultrascope, and I look forward to seeing the images as they continue to shape this exciting project. It’s wonderful to think this could be available to the masses in the near future”

The Ultrascope is currently in Beta testing and 3D plans will be downloadable from the OSA website, which can be 3D printed, laser-cut and assembled in the home. Over the next 12-18 months increasingly sophisticated models will be released, enabling enthusiasts to peer ever deeper into the stars.

You can find out more about our project here.

More about the topics: 3d printing, Microsoft Mobile, nokia lumia 1020, windows phone