Earlier this month we reported that the Nexus One would soon become the first smartphone to be launched into space, attached to the Strand-1 nanosatellite. The Strand-1 satellite has now left our planet as scheduled, with the Nexus One in tow.

So what exactly is the Nexus One going to do way up there in space? The Nexus One's camera will be used to capture images of space, as well as use several apps to test the magnetic environment surrounding the Strand-1 and even test out the idea that screams can't be heard in space. The nanosatellite's scream test takes the form of playing several recorded screams into space, including the video directly below this paragraph.

More than likely the idea of no-screaming in space will hold up. If it doesn't, the screaming videos could at least have the added benefit of driving away any would-be alien invaders that happen to come within contact of the recording.

So how exactly did the Nexus One and Strand-1 get up into space in the first place? The nanosatellite arrived in India on February 25th where it hitched a ride via the Isro Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle.

The idea of the Nexus One in space is certainly cool, but beyond the experiments that the phone will conduct, the nanosatellite itself also is testing out something different. The Strand-1 will utilize a unique propulsion method that produces thrust via a mix of water and alcohol and charged gas to move around. What do you think of this project, glad to see the Nexus One being put to good use?