James Cameron convinced NASA to buy a 3-D camera for its Mars mission

Discussion in 'Science and Technology' started by jefferiestubes8, May 2, 2010.

  1. jefferiestubes8

    jefferiestubes8 Commodore Commodore

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    http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/ci_14978168

    The article title is somewhat misleading:
    James Cameron To Shoot A 3-D Film On The Surface Of Mars
    Apr 30, 2010
    http://io9.com/5527847/james-cameron-to-shoot-a-3+d-film-on-the-surface-of-mars

    It was only earlier this week FreezeC77
    was worried he would never see a film not shot on Earth, well...a fictional film. I brought up:
    Now the question is how will James Cameron get motion capture technology into NASA for some future stuff like the man's first steps on Mars with motion capture dots all over the spacesuit and half a dozen cameras on the ship capturing the data in 2040?

    A 3-D Mars science documentary is obviously down the road. Now how about allowing the moviegoing public live 3-D images from Mars for 2 minutes before every 3-D digital cinema movie?
     
  2. Robert Maxwell

    Robert Maxwell memelord Premium Member

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    Re: James Cameron convinced NASA to buy a 3-D camera for its Mars miss

    Mocap it used for CGI. Since we'd be shooting actual documentaries on Mars, there's no need for the mocap!!

    This sounds pretty epic though. Won't there be issues transmitting such high-def video back to Earth?
     
  3. Data Holmes

    Data Holmes Admiral Admiral

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    Re: James Cameron convinced NASA to buy a 3-D camera for its Mars miss

    So, 3D High Def documentary on the surface of mars in IMAX... I'd go see it.
     
  4. Owain Taggart

    Owain Taggart Vice Admiral Admiral

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    Re: James Cameron convinced NASA to buy a 3-D camera for its Mars miss

    This is pretty timely. I'm currently reading Return to Mars by Ben Bova, and in it, they have VR headsets that they use to film things similar to what's being proposed here. They even have gloves that sends tactile feedback.
     
  5. jefferiestubes8

    jefferiestubes8 Commodore Commodore

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    Re: James Cameron convinced NASA to buy a 3-D camera for its Mars miss

    We are talking stereoscopic high definition specifically:
    More info on the JPL webpage for the rover's Telecommunications:
    and more info
    there are 2 images of the camera at this link with a Swiss Army Knife next to them for size reference.
    In addition to the MastCam there are other 3-D cameras but not color:
    at a rate of 4.5 frames per second
    The MARDI is going to be the real high quality images during the descent. At this link is a photo of the camera next to a Swiss Army Knife for reference.
    interestingly NASA or at least the JPL was planning on this 4 years ago.
    source1
    source 2 source3

    A 34mm fixed focal length camera is the equivalent of a consumer point & shoot camera (without a zoom lens) which means unless the Curiosity rover is near any rocks within 25 feet the 3-D will not give too much depth. As Captain Rob mentioned on the Star Trek 2012 in 3D, Yes or No? thread:
    it should be noted though that the color 3-D lens for the top of the mast


     
    Last edited: May 2, 2010