Two iPads and an Angry Bird to blast off into space

What do Apple's iPad tablets and the characters from the hit video game Angry Birds have in common? They will be launched into space and head for the International Space Station in the coming weeks, space-oriented news site collectSPACE.com reported. All will be transported to the ISS in two separate upcoming Russian space launches, the report said. On Oct. 30, the first unmanned resupply vehicle to fly to the space station will have two Apple iPads on board. Both iPads will augment Apple iPod music players used by the crew on the station. "The Russians are flying two iPads on the next Progress. They're going to be used for entertainment purposes only," collectSPACE quoted NASA spokesman Kelly Humphries as saying. In November, a second flight will have a stuffed toy of the red bird from the hit game "Angry Birds" accompany three crew members. The toy will signal to the launching cosmonauts and NASA astronaut that they have made it to space once it starts to float. Future use for iPads eyed While the ISS already has laptop computers, iPods and even an iPhone, the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration is eyeing a possible future use for tablet computers in space. "The [U.S. operating segment] folks in the station program are taking a look at a number of different tablets and kind of comparing and contrasting them. They are hoping to be able to fly one or more them next year, but as yet the evaluation is not complete," Humphries said. The iPads are scheduled to blast off on Oct. 30 at 1011 (GMT) from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, inside Progress M-13M. Progress' launch will mark the return to flight for the unmanned resupply spacecraft. The M-13M is to deliver to the ISS its needed propellant, oxygen, water and thousands of pounds of crew equipment, including the two iPads. Red Angry Bird as lucky charm As for the red Angry Bird, cosmonaut Anton Shkaplerov said it will accompany him and crewmates Anatoli Ivanishin and Dan Burbank when they lift off in the Soyuz TMA-22 spacecraft on Nov. 14 at 0414 GMT. "According to the existing tradition, we take with us small charms," Shkaplerov said at a pre-flight press conference in Russia, as he explained the custom of flying a toy as a "zero-g indicator." He said the stuffed toy will be hung on a string, behind the door between the landing module and living compartment. Once the vessel is in space, about 10 minutes after launch, it will begin to float - indicating the start of the flight was a success and they are in space, he said. Shkaplerov said he allowed his five-year-old daughter to choose the toy. "This little red birdie [was an] interesting fun toy that my daughter liked. She asked me to fly it — and be sure of its return!" a laughing Shkaplerov said. First-time flights The launches will mark the first time both iPads and Angry Birds are blasted into space, but also indicate close ties between their creators and space agencies. Last July, Rovio released a special reduced-gravity level of the "Seasons" version of the "Angry Birds" game. The moon-landing themed puzzle was timed to coincide with the last launch of the space shuttle, which Rovio representatives attended as guests of NASA. On the other hand, the iPads are only the latest of Apple's products to be brought to space. As early as 2005, the iPod first flew to orbit and has become the music player of choice for shuttle and now station crews. Last July, two iPhone 4 units were brought to the ISS aboard the final shuttle mission as a part of a commercial experiment organized by Odyssey Space Research. NASA has also released Apple iOS apps for iPods, iPhones and iPads. The free apps offer access to mission information, NASA TV and educational games. — RSJ, GMA News