tech:

taffy

NASA Awards $143M Software Contract

Nasa-robotics

NASA has selected L-3 National Security Solutions of Reston, Virginia, to provide simulation and software technology support to the Engineering Software, Robotics and Simulation Division (SRSD) at the agency’s Johnson Space Center in Houston. Under the Simulation and Software Technology (SST) II contract, L-3 NSS will receive a cost-plus-fixed-fee, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract not to exceed $143 million. The period of performance runs from July through June 2019.

Contract services include space vehicle systems and software expertise, and simulation and software technology support across simulation graphics and spacecraft software. L-3 NSS will provide expertise in the fields of simulation math models and applications, simulation products and virtual reality applications. Within the spacecraft software discipline, L-3 NSS will provide expertise in the areas of systems engineering and integration, software engineering analysis test bed, guidance, navigation, control software development and advanced robotics software.

The SRSD is responsible for design, development, testing and operations of intelligent systems, robotic systems and real-time simulation systems facilitating the human exploration and development of space. SRSD’s projects include Johnson’s virtual reality lab, development of highly dexterous robots and exercise systems that safeguard astronaut health while aboard the International Space Station.

[Image courtesy: NASA]

Just in

Generative AI arrives in the gene editing world of CRISPR — NYT

New AI technology is generating blueprints for microscopic biological mechanisms that can edit your DNA, pointing to a future when scientists can battle illness and diseases with even greater precision and speed than they can today, writes Cade Metz.

Mark Zuckerberg says Meta will offer its virtual reality OS to hardware companies, creating iPhone versus Android dynamic — CNBC

Meta will partner with external hardware companies, including Lenovo, Microsoft and Asus, to build virtual reality headsets using the company’s Meta Horizon operating system, writes Kif Leswing. 

Windows 11 Start menu ads are now rolling out to everyone — The Verge

Microsoft is starting to enable ads inside the Start menu on Windows 11 for all users, writes Tom Warren.