WIREDGOV

The world's 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 STFC's 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 astronaut's perspective, and I'm delighted that British scientists and the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory are playing such pivotal roles in developing this groundbreaking technology."

Notes to editors

Images

Image 1: The flight model of the medium resolution camera, RAL Cam 3 to be installed on the International Space Station. Credit: STFC

Contacts

• Sarah Smart MCIPR
  PR Manager
  RAL Space
  Tel: +44 (0)1235 445 742
  Mob: +44 (0)7920 071 823

Further Information

About UrtheCast

UrtheCast (pronounced "EarthCast") is a company created around a unique vision: to provide the world's 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 (link opens in a new window) is at the forefront of UK Space research.

Our 180 science and engineering staff based at STFC's 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.

About STFC