Astronaut Marsha Ivins, using a Cisco IP SoftPhone on the Space Shuttle Atlantis, directly dialed the Flight Director, Bob Castle, at Mission Control Center. During this test of this new equipment, the call went through with ease and the voice quality was clear. Phone calls weren't possible in space for two reasons. Now that the telephone and computer are combined with Cisco's Internet technology, astronauts can reach out and touch someone via a digital satellite connection from the stratosphere.
Astronauts can also browse the Internet and email family members.
Anywhere there is IP connectivity, including outer space, Cisco technology enables voice communication. The Cisco equipment had been rigorously tested at NASA before it was deployed on the shuttle. While NASA may be one of most unusual user of Cisco's voice technology, it is certainly not the only one. Cisco is shipping about 2,000 phones a day worldwide to businesses, universities and government entities looking to add services and reduce costs.