No matter how old you are, anything space related is always going to be interesting — whether it’s rockets, astronauts, or the solar system. With 321 Launch, you’ll get to experience AR rocket launches straight from your smartphone.<\/b>
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No matter how old you are, anything space related is always going to be interesting \u2014 whether it\u2019s rockets, astronauts, or the solar system. This week, we have an app that will bring you closer to space missions via augmented reality.
Using 321 Launch, you\u2019ll get to experience AR rocket launches as they take off in real time from the comfort of your smartphone. The new app is a collaboration between USA Today Network and Florida Today (one if its local news brands) and incorporates features ranging from live video of upcoming launches to a tabletop AR hologram of the rocket to view.
With the Kennedy Space Center located in Florida, developers and reporters were able to gain an even deeper understanding from an up-close and personal perspective. This allowed them to incorporate detailed visuals and even sound effects to create an app that accurately simulated what it\u2019s like to see a rocket launch on site.
When you first open 321 Launch, you have two options to choose from \u2014 \u201cLaunch Simulation\u201d and \u201cLive Mission.\u201d With Launch Simulation, you get to build and launch your own AR rocket. In this section of the app, you\u2019ll need a flat surface to be able to \u201cassemble\u201d the virtual pieces. I also recommend being able to turn the sound on because it definitely enhances the experience, and makes it even cooler.
As you begin to drag and drop all of the different parts onto the launch pad, you also get to simultaneously learn about each one. On the right side of the screen, there\u2019s explanations you can read to learn more about the process \u2014 such as the lightning towers that surround the pad, the flame trench, fueling the rocket, and the launch.
Once it\u2019s all set to go, you can tap the \u201cLaunch\u201d button in the bottom left-hand corner of the screen to watch it lift off. After it decouples and re-enters the atmosphere, you\u2019ll then be able to deploy the landing legs back on to the pad. It was interesting to learn as much as I did in such a short amount of time \u2014 with such a smooth interface and enjoyable experience, you\u2019ll forget that while launching an AR rocket you\u2019re also learning in the process.
In the Live Mission part of the app, you\u2019ll be provided with a live feed when a launch is happening. During my demo with USA Today, there wasn\u2019t a live launch happening, but I was still able to experience what it would be like had there been one. In this section, you can switch back and forth between the live stream and AR, as well as view live commentary from Florida Today\u2019s space reporters who guide you through the launch \u2014 which you\u2019ll be able to see on the side of the screen.
One of my favorite features in this section was being able to view the predicted flight path. By pointing your phone at the sky, you\u2019ll see a line drawn out for you which informs you of the direction the rocket is going in. That way, you\u2019ll also be able to track if it\u2019s passing anywhere over your area.
Prior to a launch, you\u2019ll be provided with a countdown on the home screen of the app. It lets you know how many days or hours to expect the next live mission. I also received a banner notification while using 321 Launch, that updated me on the status of the upcoming SpaceX Falcon 9 from Cape Canaveral.
You also have the ability to check the launch schedule and space news via the homepage. which brings you to Florida Today\u2019s site. You can also share your launch experience on Reddit, Facebook, and Twitter straight through the app. It\u2019s currently available for download on both iOS and Android \u2014 right on time for the SpaceX Falcon 9 on April 2nd, which will give you the full experience of 321 Launch.<\/p>\n

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Similarity rank: 1.1<\/div>\n

Sentiment rank: 0.8<\/div>\n

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