Jonathan Walther has a boat with almost everything: dual props, global positioning system, Wi-Fi Internet access, computerized navigation management and a video camera to record the adventure. The only thing it lacks is room for a crew. The deck is just 3 feet square and that’s barely room for the tackle box that holds the Linux-based computer.
Walther usually does that sort of thing for NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, where he develops code for communicating with satellites in the Deep Space Network. He refers to it as “the ultimate in long-distance calling.” Galileo, Cassini and the Mars Pathfinder are among the missions he’s worked on.
July 7th, 2005