As NASA prepares for Monday’s scheduled launch of its Artemis I rocket from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, coverage plans include a unique live stream in virtual reality.
Artemis I is the first unmanned test flight of NASA’s Artemis lunar exploration program, and the Integrated Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft are targeted during a two-hour window that opens at 8:33 am ET on Monday.
Felix & Paul Studios: the studio behind the Emmy-winning reality show Space Explorers: The ISS Experience – and partners, including Meta Quest, plan to host an hour-long show that will include live footage of the launch captured by 8K 360-degree virtual reality cameras. The show also includes pre-recorded footage and is hosted by a pair of former NASA astronauts, Karen Nyberg and Doug Hurley.
The show can be seen in VR on Meta Quest headsets, and for those without access to VR headsets, there are also plans to stream live on Facebook 360 and play that coverage at approximately 200 domes and planetariums. .
“We’ve been documenting space exploration through virtual reality for several years now, and everything we’ve done has been cinematic in the sense that we’ve filmed, reconstructed the footage and then processed it. This time, because it’s such an important event, you want to be there in real time,” says Felix Lajeunesse, co-founder and creative director of Felix & Paul Studios. “We decided to move from a VR movie practice to a fully immersive streaming world. It’s a big leap for us and it’s very important and stressful and great. “
The plans include four live VR camera positions, including one he believes will “really give the audience a sense of the true gigantic scale of this spacecraft. And when it’s released, the beauty of it is that it never leaves the frame, because you can look up and see it go up into space.”
Among the challenges, of course, is the location of the camera. “We’re far enough away that the equipment is safe, but close enough to give you a sense of presence that you wouldn’t have otherwise,” says Lajeunesse, explaining that the VR cameras will be covered. A custom protective cover, also “forged to a concrete anchored structure. It was a months-long prep process to figure out how to safely mount the camera. ”
This isn’t the first time the team has had to innovate to provide coverage for NASA. The camera was getting ready. space explorers it remains on the ISS, and Lajeunesse says it will continue to be used for future planned content.
“When you shoot with a camera on Earth, you really don’t have to worry about heat dissipation because heat builds up. But if you’re working in a microgravity environment, because there’s no gravity, the heat stays inside the electronics instead of being dissipated,” says Lajeunes. “We actually had to implement a different thermal management system inside the camera to make sure the heat actually dissipated and the electronics didn’t overheat.”
For tomorrow’s scheduled live stream from the Kennedy Space Center, the team also equipped a custom haul truck to produce the show, allowing the production team to monitor footage using virtual reality goggles or viewing on a screen monitoring system. flat. Move around the image.
“I think it will be extremely exciting for the audience,” says Lejeunes.
Additional plans for the NASA launch include live coverage on NASA TV, as well as on the space agency’s app and website.
Source: Hollywood Reporter
Camila Luna is a writer at Gossipify, where she covers the latest movies and television series. With a passion for all things entertainment, Camila brings her unique perspective to her writing and offers readers an inside look at the industry. Camila is a graduate from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) with a degree in English and is also a avid movie watcher.
