iPad in Space

In the Star Trek universe, one of the most common devices in use by Starfleet is the PADD, a handheld touch-screen device that serves a variety of purposes. Many people have noted the similarity in appearance and function of this device and the iPad. Now the devices will have something else in common: space travel. The Progress M-13M unmanned supply mission to the International Space Station (ISS), which successfully docked on November 2nd, included a pair of iPad 2s.

Even though Apple claims that no matter the task “there’s an app for that,” the iPads will be used for entertainment purposes only and not for any mission-related functions. It will, however, probably not be too long before the iPad is used for more important tasks (not that entertainment isn’t important when one is trapped inside only 388 cubic meters of habitable space for months on end). The iPad has already been approved by the Federal Aviation Administration for use as an electronic flight bag, replacing the traditional paper manual, which consisted of up to 12,000 pages and weighed up to 38 pounds, with a device weighing just 1.33 pounds. I can definitely envision the iPad fulfilling a similar function for the astronauts in the ISS.

Someday, once Siri is integrated into the iPad, the entire ISS could be controlled through voice commands and the ISS Remote Control app. Hopefully, Siri has more in common with the Enterprise computer than HAL.