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Worlds first live video feed of Earth from Space(M2 PressWIRE Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) The worlds first high definition streaming video camera to be installed on the International Space Station (ISS) has been announced by David Willetts, Minister for Universities and Science at the UK Space Conference on 4 July. The project is a joint venture between Canada, Russia and the UK. The high resolution camera will offer a video image with a resolution that is comparable to much of Google Earth. This will give users the unique opportunity to see man-made objects and groups of people and to search for videos of particular locations. It will be possible to zoom in and out, virtually steer the camera from side to side, rewind and fast forward as they investigate areas of interest on Earth. The web platform also gives users the capability to constantly track the location of the ISS anticipating the exact time when it will pass over a particular geographic location. Canadian company UrtheCast (pronounced Earth cast) will supply video data and imagery of Earth, collected by two high definition cameras on the Russian module of the ISS. The two cameras, one medium resolution and one high resolution, will be designed, built and tested by STFCs RAL Space, at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory. The data and imagery collected from the cameras will be down-linked to ground stations around the world and then displayed in near real time on the UrtheCast web platform. President of UrtheCast, Scott Larson said UrtheCast is excited to be working with RAL Space on this project. We feel that the ability to show people what earth looks like from space, in a near-real time environment, will provide for a significant educational opportunity. At the same time, showing people how close we are all connected and responsible for earth, is obviously something that we continually need to be reminded about. Professor Richard Holdaway, Director of RAL Space said: Here at RAL Space we are both delighted and excited to be involved in this International project that is at the cutting edge of technology. It will provide a new and intriguing connection between space and the rest of the world. Commenting on the project, David Willetts, Minister for Universities and Science said: The UK has real strengths and expertise in space technology, as well as leading-edge research facilities. This exciting international project will give people the opportunity to see Earth from an astronauts perspective, and Im delighted that British scientists and the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory are playing such pivotal roles in developing this groundbreaking technology. Notes to editors Images Contacts Sarah Smart MCIPR PR Manager RAL Space Tel: +44 (0)1235 44 5742 Mob+44 (0) 7920071823 Email [email protected] Further Information About UrtheCast UrtheCast (pronounced EarthCast) is a company created around a unique vision: to provide the worlds first ever, live HD video feed of Earth from space. Working in an exclusive relationship with world-famous Russian Aerospace giant RSC Energia, UrtheCast is building, launching, installing, and operating two cameras on the Russian module of the International Space Station. Starting in mid-2012, video data of the Earth collected by our cameras will be down-linked to ground stations around the planet and then displayed in near real time on the UrtheCast web platform or distributed directly to our exclusive partners and customers. RAL Space With over 45 years heritage and involvement in over 100 space missions and 200 space instruments RAL Space is at the forefront of UK Space research. Our 180 science and engineering staff based at STFCs Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Oxfordshire and Chilbolton Observatory, Hampshire are dedicated to supporting the programmes of the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC, Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) and the UK Space Agency, as well as significant support to industry, universities and overseas organisations. STFC The Science and Technology Facilities Council is keeping the UK at the forefront of international science and tackling some of the most significant challenges facing society such as meeting our future energy needs, monitoring and understanding climate change, and global security. The Council has a broad science portfolio and works with the academic and industrial communities to share its expertise in materials science, space and ground-based astronomy technologies, laser science, microelectronics, wafer scale manufacturing, particle and nuclear physics, alternative energy production, radio communications and radar. STFC operates or hosts world class experimental facilities including: in the UK; ISIS pulsed neutron source, the Central Laser Facility, and LOFAR. STFC is also the majority shareholder in Diamond Light Source Ltd. overseas; telescopes on La Palma and Hawaii It enables UK researchers to access leading international science facilities by funding membership of international bodies including European Laboratory for Particle Physics (CERN), the Institut Laue Langevin (ILL), European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF) and the European Southern Observatory (ESO). STFC is one of seven publicly-funded research councils. It is an independent, non-departmental public body of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS). www.stfc.ac.uk ((M2 Communications disclaims all liability for information provided within M2 PressWIRE. Data supplied by named party/parties. Further information on M2 PressWIRE can be obtained at http://www.presswire.net on the world wide web. Inquiries to [email protected])). (c) 2011 M2 COMMUNICATIONS |