In 2011, NASA will launch their Mars Science Laboratory mission along with the mechanical rover, fittingly named Curiosity. The rover will be heading for the surface of Mars, where it will cover as much terrain as possible in another attempt to learn more about the habitat, the possibilities of future colonizations of the planet, and of course, any life that may or may not exist there.
We’ve heard about missions like this before, and sometimes great photographs are sent back, but how could you take Mars exploration to a whole new level? Well, if you’re the director of the biggest movie ever made like Avatar director James Cameron happens to be, then you throw a 3D camera on top of this rover, of course!
Cameron, being as important as he is, was able to get a one-on-on meeting with NASA administrator Charles Bolden. In this meeting Cameron convinced him that a 3D camera, the ability to zoom in and out, and the footage that could come from it would increase people’s interest in the mission while also using the 10-frames per second to produce the best look at the Red Planet we’ve ever seen.
Here’s what Cameron had to say:
It’s a very ambitious mission. It’s a very exciting mission. [The scientists are] going to answer a lot of really important questions about the previous and potential future habitability of Mars.
It’s a thrill to be on even a tiny part of the mission.
Now, this isn’t a sure shot quite yet. Malin Space Science Systems, who is the company building the 3D camera, has a large mountain to climb in order to finish in time for the 2011 launch.
I’m sure most of you are with me when I say I hope they get this done. It’s repulsive how often 3D is used these days, but you can’t deny how awesome this could be. James Cameron has already dominated Hollywood and deep sea filmmaking, so maybe now it’s time to dominate inter-galactic filmmaking…and who knows, maybe he’ll introduce us to the first “alien” in the process!
[Source: Pasadena Star-News via /Film]
