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James Cameron Sending 3-D Cameras to Mars with Next NASA Rover
Popular Science ^ | 5/02/2010 | Jeremy Hsu

Posted on 05/03/2010 6:26:01 PM PDT by ErnstStavroBlofeld

James Cameron's love of science and high-tech cameras has previously shone through with his undersea documentaries -- not to mention Titanic or even Avatar. Now the film director is playing "public engagement co-investigator" on NASA's upcoming SUV-sized rover mission, which will carry full-color digital cameras and zoom lenses -- but it's a race to complete the lenses in time for the mission's 2011 launch.

Cameron approached NASA administrator Charles Bolden about including the 3-D camera in January, according to the AP. NASA had originally cut the 3-D camera and zoom lens options back in 2007, for budgetary reasons.

But Cameron's argument that a high-res 3-D camera would boost public interest swayed Bolden to his side. The U.S. space agency recently funded completion of the 3-D and zoom-capable cameras by Malin Space Science Systems, Inc, the company which developed the Mastcams.

Restoring the zoom is not a science issue, although there will be some science benefits," said Michael Malin, principal investigator for the Mastcam. "The fixed focal length Mastcams we just delivered will do almost all of the science we originally proposed. But they cannot provide a wide field of view with comparable eye stereo."

(Excerpt) Read more at popsci.com ...


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events; Technical
KEYWORDS: 3d; cameras; jamescameron; mars; nasa; science; space; spacetechnology

1 posted on 05/03/2010 6:26:01 PM PDT by ErnstStavroBlofeld
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To: KevinDavis

Ping


2 posted on 05/03/2010 6:27:30 PM PDT by ErnstStavroBlofeld ("I have learned to use the word "impossible" with the greatest caution."-Dr.Wernher Von Braun)
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To: sonofstrangelove

After NASA recovers from Obama? Who knows if Cameron will even be alive when/if NASA goes to Mars again.


3 posted on 05/03/2010 6:28:48 PM PDT by Ingtar (My dog died yesterday, but less than expected. - Freeper Juan Meden)
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To: sonofstrangelove

Next: Blue astronauts.


4 posted on 05/03/2010 6:30:18 PM PDT by Cicero (Marcus Tullius)
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To: FrPR; BP2; mrreaganaut; Las Vegas Dave; Hell to pay; kosciusko51; stainlessbanner; uscbud; ...


For other space news go to: http://www.spacetoday.net
For a list of Private Space Companies: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_private_spaceflight_companies

International Association of Space Entrepreneurs
5 posted on 05/03/2010 6:30:47 PM PDT by KevinDavis (Jesus Saves... Allah Kills...)
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To: sonofstrangelove

.
Let him pay for the whole darn mission.


6 posted on 05/03/2010 6:31:10 PM PDT by Touch Not the Cat (Where is the light? Wonder if it's weeping somewhere...)
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To: Touch Not the Cat

My thoughts exactly.He can certainly afford it.


7 posted on 05/03/2010 6:31:53 PM PDT by ErnstStavroBlofeld ("I have learned to use the word "impossible" with the greatest caution."-Dr.Wernher Von Braun)
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To: sonofstrangelove

Send him along to set them up.


8 posted on 05/03/2010 6:33:25 PM PDT by Jeff Chandler (Judas Iscariot - the first social justice advocate. John 12:3-6)
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To: Jeff Chandler

He can bring Obama as his wing man or Pelosi as his wing woman his choice either will do


9 posted on 05/03/2010 6:36:47 PM PDT by funfan
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To: KevinDavis

When did Cameron get a space agency?


10 posted on 05/03/2010 6:37:44 PM PDT by GeronL (http://libertyfic.proboards.com << Get your science fiction and fiction test marketed)
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To: Jeff Chandler

Cameron is like Dan Rather and the Dixie Chicks......

When FR stops talking about them and giving them free publicity....

No one talks about them.


11 posted on 05/03/2010 6:39:29 PM PDT by ButThreeLeftsDo (FR.......Monthly Donors Wanted.)
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To: sonofstrangelove

James Cameron goes to Mars to videotape the Mars landscape to make a profit in his next film. Once he gets there, he discovers that the Mars landscape is over populated with ugly blue aliens that refuse to move out of the shot. So in order for him to get the aliens to move, he has to send in an avatar to join the population and pressure them to move. When this is not accomplished, Cameron is forced to start a war with the aliens. Cameron loses the war, and is held prisoner on Mars forever. The End.


12 posted on 05/03/2010 6:45:13 PM PDT by RatsDawg
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To: ButThreeLeftsDo

It does have a space angle and he is giving this camera for free.It would be nice though if he paid for the mission.


13 posted on 05/03/2010 6:50:39 PM PDT by ErnstStavroBlofeld ("I have learned to use the word "impossible" with the greatest caution."-Dr.Wernher Von Braun)
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To: KevinDavis

Please include me on your NASA ping list. Thanks!


14 posted on 05/03/2010 6:53:47 PM PDT by seekthetruth (Dan Fanelli US House FL 8 --- Allen West US House FL 22 --- Marco Rubio - US Senate)
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To: sonofstrangelove

Well, unlike many, here.....

I’m not a big fan of Cameron and his liberal ilk.


15 posted on 05/03/2010 6:58:07 PM PDT by ButThreeLeftsDo (FR.......Monthly Donors Wanted.)
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To: sonofstrangelove

How about bringing back the CircleVision 360 camera?

Or how about the Google Streets car?

-PJ

16 posted on 05/03/2010 7:02:27 PM PDT by Political Junkie Too ("Comprehensive" reform bills only end up as incomprehensible messes.)
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To: ButThreeLeftsDo

I am not a fan of his but he did give a very expensive piece of hardware for free to NASA


17 posted on 05/03/2010 9:12:35 PM PDT by ErnstStavroBlofeld ("I have learned to use the word "impossible" with the greatest caution."-Dr.Wernher Von Braun)
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To: sonofstrangelove

Nice! I’ve been saying folks who make money off of space-related entertainment ought to put their money where their mouth is for a long time. I didn’t care for his latest movie, but I’ll enjoy the pics from Mars.


18 posted on 05/03/2010 10:21:52 PM PDT by saundby
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To: sonofstrangelove

Maybe we could send Cameron to Mars himself, And leave him there.


19 posted on 05/04/2010 10:22:36 AM PDT by mowowie
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