We've all heard about how relatively archaic the computing technology used to send a man to the moon was: "less computing power than a washing machine. Now we're really seeing how new, widely distributed tech is being manipulated and pushed to the limit, this time not by the government but by do-it-yourself geek collectives.

Take a look at your smart phone. Hopefully after WEC and through One+ tech coverage, you've developed a new appreciation for the computing power in your hand. It was groovy fun and games earlier this year when some tinkerers used an Android G1 smart phone as the brain for a robot, but the Mavericks Civilian Space Foundation has taken the open-source Android OS to new heights.

Attaching the awesome, yet sadly out of production, Android-based Nexus One smart phone to a rocket, the group launched the device to 28,000 feet...with the phone's video recorder running.

“The purpose of flying the Nexus One is to find a low-cost satellite solution,” said Thomas Atchison, chairman of the Mavericks Foundation. “The radio, processing power, sensors and cameras in smart phones potentially have the same capability as those in satellites.”

We're now turning smart phones into robots and investigating their use as low-cost satellites. 

I almost feel embarrassed that I merely use my smart phone as a social networking device, for listening to podcasts and Internet radio, checking e-mail and, well, as a phone.

(*Outstanding graphic from g1wallz)