If you think Google Earth is awesome, wait till you see what Urthecast has to offer. If everything goes well, you will be able to see high definition video of Earth from the point view of ISS.
UrtheCast will be installing two high definition cameras on the International Space Station . One will be for images and the other for video.
Excerpt from the press release.
Users will be able to search for videos of a particular location, type, or theme and will have the ability to interact with the HD video feed from the UrtheCast servers. They will be able to zoom in and out, virtually steer the camera from side to side, rewind, and fast forward as they check out areas and things of interest on Earth.
Here is a video.
However, if you read carefully, you will know that the video is at 3.25fps which means it will be super laggy. Anyway, it is always good to see the real stuff. Come 2012, we shall embrace this technology.
Press Release
UrtheCast Announces New Space Venture
Joint Canadian, Russian and UK Space Venture to Install Worlds First Ever High Definition Streaming Video Cameras on the International Space Station
TORONTO, June 23, 2011 /CNW/ UrtheCast is building, launching, and operating the worlds first and only high definition streaming video cameras being installed on the International Space Station .
UrtheCast will supply video data and imagery of Earth collected by two HD cameras on the Russian module of the Space Station. This data and imagery will be down-linked to ground stations around the planet and then displayed in real time on the Internet and distributed directly to UrtheCasts exclusive partners and customers.
The UrtheCast web platform will allow Users to constantly track the location of the Space Station, anticipating when it will pass over a particular geographic location. Users will be able to search for videos of a particular location, type, or theme and will have the ability to interact with the HD video feed from the UrtheCast servers. They will be able to zoom in and out, virtually steer the camera from side to side, rewind, and fast forward as they check out areas and things of interest on Earth. UK based Rutherford Appleton Labs is building two high definition cameras. A medium resolution camera will provide a three colour image with a swath of 45 kilometers and a resolution of 5.5 meters. The high-resolution camera will offer a video image with a frame rate of 3.25 frames per second with a resolution that is comparable to much of Google Earth. This will allow Users to see man-made objects and groups of people.
As a result of all this unique functionality, the UrtheCast web platform will spark a great deal of awareness, creativity, and unique user events from around the world. The UrtheCast website will feel like a blend of Google Earth with the video playback and search functionality of YouTube. The UrtheCast web platform will combine a consumer centric website, mobile application for smart phones, and an open Application Program Interface . The API enables third party developers to create their own applications and upload them to the UrtheCast web platform.
UrtheCast will officially launch this project in Calgary on June 28th at 12:00pm. Dr. Dave Williams, one of NASAs most accomplished astronauts, will be speaking at the launch at the Calgary Chamber of Commerce.
Dr. Williams blasted into space aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia, and again on Shuttle Endeavour where he walked out into the great beyond. He has set records in space walking and has logged more than 687 hours in space. He will be speaking about space flight, space exploration, space science and technology, environmental stewardship and educational awareness as it relates to seeing the Earth from Space. This unprecedented UrtheCast initiative is helping position Canada as a leading space-faring nation and driving science and innovation while actively inspiring young people across our country to take their place as members of Canadas next space generation, stated Dr. Williams.
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