NASA’s Last Shuttle Launch to be Filmed in 3D

Jul 08, 2011 No Comments by Jonathan Tustain

Chicago based video-on-demand programming company iN DEMAND will be producing an hour long 3D special surrounding today’s (or at least a day when the weather clears) last ever launch of the US Space Shuttle. Called "NASA Last Launch", production company Vertical Ascent have already been busy filming NASA’s preparation for the historic event which will culminate in the stereoscopic filming of tonight’s launch from just 500 feet away, as well as the landing.

space shuttle 207x300 NASAs Last Shuttle Launch to be Filmed in 3D Produced by Vertical Ascent Productions, the one-hour special is part of iN DEMAND’s focus on developing original stereoscopic 3D content for cable TV. So far, the production team have filmed Mission Control and astronaut training at the Johnson Space Center in Houston. Commander Chris Ferguson, pilot Doug Hurley and mission specialists Rex Walheim and Sandy Magnus have all been interviewed and viewers will see them suiting up and getting into the shuttle in 3D. During the 3D documentary, former shuttle mission commander Jay Honeycutt and other NASA experts describe the footage which will also include sequences from space.

NASA Last Launch 3D has been filmed entirely on the £16,000 Panasonic AG3DA1 which will also go on board the shuttle for inside shots before launch.

NASA Last Launch 3D will premiere for free on Comcast Xfinity 3D platforms approximately two weeks after the shuttle launch and will be made available for iN DEMAND’s other affiliates.

"We are honoured to have been given incredible and singular access to the final launch of the U.S. space shuttle Atlantis," said Mr. Adam Friedman, Executive Producer of the show. "Not only will this show give viewers an amazing and informative inside look at how the shuttle program works, 3D is also the perfect format to capture this historical event."

According to iN DEMAND's Nunez, "When a cable customer buys a new 3D television set, we want them to be blown away by the technology. In producing a series with stunning visuals covering a variety of noteworthy subjects and timely events, we hope to showcase 3D as effectively and as broadly as possible. For this reason, NASA Last Launch 3D will be made available for free on Video on Demand and linear TV simultaneously."

To capture NASA’s last ever space shuttle launch in 3D, Vertical Ascent were allowed to position their stereoscopic cameras just 500 feet away from the launch pad.

This is the second 3D commission Vertical Ascent Productions have received from iN DEMAND. The company has also produced a series called “In Deep”, an experiential show using 3D to brings viewers closer to Parkour, snow sports in Telluride and Mardi Gras.

NASA's last ever space shuttle launch will be streamed live in 2D HD on NASA's TV website. The launch is scheduled for 1900 UK time today although as of 09.00am, there is only a 30% chance of it going ahead due to adverse weather conditions. Keeping checking the NASA multimedia website for details.

3D space fans were dissapointed earlier this year when NASA scrapped plans to install a stereoscopic camera developed by James Cameron onto its Mars Rover Curiosity. Planned to blast off to Mars at the end of the year, NASA claimed there was not enough time available for the testing of the 3D zoom cameras.