Microsoft’s HoloLens is heading to the Space Station tomorrow aboard SpaceX CRS-7

SpaceX's seventh resupply mission to the International Space Station, CRS-7, is scheduled to launch tomorrow, June 28, from Cape Canaveral. The launch is exciting for two main reasons. For space travel fans, the highlight will be the third attempt at landing the Falcon 9 main stage on a barge in the middle of the ocean. For tech geeks, you'll be excited to learn that the cargo capsule will deliver two Microsoft HoloLens headsets to the astronauts aboard the ISS.

HoloLens is being sent to the ISS as part of Project Sidekick. HoloLens gives the user an augmented view of reality by overlaying digital imagery on whatever you happen to be looking at. Microsoft has demonstrated HoloLens' gaming capabilities (Minecraft!) but so far the messaging has been mostly about telepresence, remote assistance, and new UI and UX paradigms.

Project Sidekick will allow NASA to "provide virtual aid" to astronauts aboard the ISS when they need it. "This new capability could reduce crew training requirements and increase the efficiency at which astronauts can work in space," reads the press release. NASA also mentions that offloading training and expertise "could also empower future explorers requiring greater autonomy on the journey to Mars."