[ ](http://www.engadget.com/2013/02/26/google-nexus-one-launched-into-space-cubesat-phonesat-strand-1/)
Google's [Nexus One](http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/04/nexus-one-review/) has [dreamt of space travel](http://www.engadget.com/2012/10/10/htc-nasa-to-launch-nexus-one-into-space/) for [a while now](http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/30/nexus-one-blasts-off-to-28-000-feet-looks-slightly-worse-for-we/), but on Monday it was finally launched into orbit aboard a CubeSat dubbed STRaND-1, which was developed by Surrey Satellite Technology and the University of Surrey's Surrey Space Centre. STRaND-1 now holds the honor of being the first [PhoneSat](http://www.engadget.com/2012/10/10/htc-nasa-to-launch-nexus-one-into-space/) and UK [CubeSat](http://www.engadget.com/2012/10/17/visualized-cubesat-micro-orbiters-slip-into-space/) that has made it into orbit. Alongside the HTC-made handset are an altitude and orbit control system, two propulsion setups and a Linux-based computer with a "high-speed" processor. After the Tux-friendly rig conducts a battery of tests, it'll relinquish control of much of the satellite's functions to the smartphone, which still runs Android.
Not only will the mission test how commercial, off-the-shelf tech can survive in the vacuum and conduct experiments, but it'll squeeze in some fun courtesy of apps developed by winners of a competition held last year. An app called 360 will let folks back on terra firma request their own snapshots of earth taken with the phone's shooter and pin them to a map. Ridley Scott might like to say no one can hear you scream in space, but another application loaded onto the device will put that to the test by playing user-submitted shrieks and recording them with the handset's microphone as they playback. Hit the break for more details and a brief video overview of the satellite, or jab the more coverage links to partake in the app shenanigans.
Filed under: [Science](http://www.engadget.com/category/science/), [Alt](http://www.engadget.com/category/alt/)
**[Comments](http://www.engadget.com/2013/02/26/google-nexus-one-launched-into-space-cubesat-phonesat-strand-1/#comments)**
**Via:** [CNET](http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-57571169-1/google-nexus-fired-into-space-to-see-if-screams-are-audible/)
**Source:** [Surrey Satellite Technology LTD](http://www.sstl.co.uk/News-and-Events?story=2123)
URL: http://www.engadget.com/2013/02/26/google-nexus-one-launched-into-space-cubesat-phonesat-strand-1/
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