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Students And Astronauts Use Powerful New Tool To Explore Earth From Space
Cambridge, MA1 (SPX) Sep 30, 2008 Imagine being able, with a click of a mouse, to see the world, in all its beauty, just like astronauts on the International Space Station do. That's exactly what will happen when Richard Garriott - a citizen astronaut and son of former astronaut Owen Garriott -- takes his trip to the International Space Station on October 12 aboard the Soyuz. He will be carrying with him special software - "Windows on Earth" -- developed by TERC (an educational non-profit) and the Association of Space Explorers to help him identify targets on the Earth to photograph for scientific research and educational exploration. This software, funded by the National Science Foundation, was originally developed for use in museums and the web. It is currently installed at Boston's Museum of Science, the National Air and Space Museum, and St. Louis Science Center. It has been adapted for use by astronauts because of its very realistic simulation of Earth as seen from space. (Usually the reverse is true - the technology is developed first for scientists and then adapted for public and educational use.) Richard Garriott's flight, and this software, offer an historic opportunity to see how Earth has changed over the 35 years since his father Owen, one of NASA's first scientist astronauts, flew on Skylab II in 1973.
The Windows on Earth digital system They can explore where they wish, with sites of interest marked in many locations around the world, including animations of how various features were formed. The system includes clouds, night lights, and other data to make the experience as realistic and interactive as possible. Richard's photographs (and those of his father) will be integrated into the system, with each photo marked and clickable, on the Earth imagery. "The ramifications for students and the public is profound," according to Dan Barstow, director of the Center for Science Teaching and Learning at TERC. "Their view of the Earth is no longer restricted to glossy photos in a book but they can actually see what is happening on Earth with a space-age perspective, and with it their understanding of Earth is transformed," he said.
Windows on Earth web site Other partners in this project include GeoFusion, developers of the Earth visualization engine, and WorldSat, providers of the Earth imagery. The system includes Earth imagery at 30m, derived from Landsat. It also uses a 90m Digital Elevation Model to present features in 3D relief in the oblique perspective views. The images were color-corrected with advice from former NASA astronaut Jay Apt to match the Earth colors. Related Links TERC Earth Observation News - Suppiliers, Technology and Application
Raytheon Completes Ground Segment Acceptance Testing For NPOESS
Aurora CO (SPX) Sep 29, 2008Raytheon has achieved a significant program milestone for the National Polar- orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System (NPOESS) by successfully completing ground segment acceptance testing of the data processing segment at the NOAA Satellite Operations Facility three weeks ahead of schedule. |
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