• Home
  • News
  • Fortune 500
  • Tech
  • Finance
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia
Techspace

NASA wants you to make a smartwatch app for astronauts

By
Ben Geier
Ben Geier
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
Ben Geier
Ben Geier
Down Arrow Button Icon
August 12, 2015, 11:43 AM ET
International Space Station
IN SPACE - SEPTEMBER 5: In this handout from NASA, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency astronaut Aki Hoshide, Expedition 32 flight engineer, participates in the mission?s third session of extravehicular activity (EVA outside the International Space Station September 5, 2012 in Space. (Photo by NASA via Getty Images)Photo by NASA—Getty Images

Smartwatch app developers could soon see their ideas taken literally out of this world, as NASA is looking for someone to design an app for astronauts to use then they are in space.

The space agency is partnering with Freelancer.com to encourage freelance developers to submit their design for an app that would help astronauts perform their duties while in orbit. Here are some of the things the app needs to be able to due, according to a press release from NASA:

  1. Crew Timeline application: Will display an agenda view of the timeline as well as a way to easily navigate to another day in the past or future.
  2. Caution & Warnings application: Will display color coded cautions and warnings.
  3. Communication Status application: Will display whether or not the vehicle is currently able to communicate with the ground through either voice or video.
  4. Timers application: Will be able to set timers for procedures or until the next activity. This general design should direct attention to the appropriate information for a task and increase efficiency.
  5. Provide appropriate feedback to actions: Be legible on the smaller Samsung Gear screen – innovative representations of data displayed on a smartwatch are highly encouraged.

Developers are supposed to use the Samsung Gear 2 as a hardware reference.

About the Author
By Ben Geier
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon

Latest in Tech

Tim Cook stands in front of a giant image of Apple cofounder Steve Jobs
Big TechApple
Apple is experiencing its biggest leadership shakeup since Steve Jobs died
By Dave SmithDecember 5, 2025
53 seconds ago
C-SuiteStreaming
Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos credits a video store job for launching his career—and cherishes this lesson from Tony Bennett
By Jason MaDecember 5, 2025
13 minutes ago
AIIntuit
How Intuit’s Chief AI Officer supercharged the company’s emerging technologies teams—and why not every company should follow his lead
By John KellDecember 5, 2025
49 minutes ago
Sarandos
Big TechMedia
Netflix’s bombshell deal to buy Warner Bros. brings Batman and Harry Potter to the big red streamer and infuriates theater owners and the Ellisons
By Nick LichtenbergDecember 5, 2025
51 minutes ago
SuccessCareers
Elon Musk and Bill Gates warn that AI will kill all jobs within 20 years. ‘That’s not what we’re seeing,’ LinkedIn exec says
By Orianna Rosa RoyleDecember 5, 2025
1 hour ago
Netflix
Big TechNetflix
Netflix’s $59 billion loan for Warner Bros. among biggest ever
By Natalie Harrison, Janine Panzer and BloombergDecember 5, 2025
2 hours ago

Most Popular

placeholder alt text
Economy
Two months into the new fiscal year and the U.S. government is already spending more than $10 billion a week servicing national debt
By Eleanor PringleDecember 4, 2025
1 day ago
placeholder alt text
Success
‘Godfather of AI’ says Bill Gates and Elon Musk are right about the future of work—but he predicts mass unemployment is on its way
By Preston ForeDecember 4, 2025
24 hours ago
placeholder alt text
Success
Nearly 4 million new manufacturing jobs are coming to America as boomers retire—but it's the one trade job Gen Z doesn't want
By Emma BurleighDecember 4, 2025
1 day ago
placeholder alt text
Success
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang admits he works 7 days a week, including holidays, in a constant 'state of anxiety' out of fear of going bankrupt
By Jessica CoacciDecember 4, 2025
23 hours ago
placeholder alt text
Economy
Tariffs and the $38 trillion national debt: Kevin Hassett sees ’big reductions’ in deficit while Scott Bessent sees a ‘shrinking ice cube’
By Nick LichtenbergDecember 4, 2025
22 hours ago
placeholder alt text
Health
Bill Gates decries ‘significant reversal in child deaths’ as nearly 5 million kids will die before they turn 5 this year
By Nick LichtenbergDecember 4, 2025
1 day ago
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • Future 50
  • World’s Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
Sections
  • Finance
  • Leadership
  • Success
  • Tech
  • Asia
  • Europe
  • Environment
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Health
  • Retail
  • Lifestyle
  • Politics
  • Newsletters
  • Magazine
  • Features
  • Commentary
  • Mpw
  • CEO Initiative
  • Conferences
  • Personal Finance
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
About Us
  • About Us
  • Editorial Calendar
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Diversity And Inclusion
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map

© 2025 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.