NASA Ropes in Avatar Director James Cameron for Mars Camera Work
NASA has managed to rope in Hollywood director James Cameron to build 3D camera for their next generation rover, Curiosity.
The space agency had earlier abandoned its plans to fit in cameras for the river in 2007 due to shortfall in its funds.
According to NASA the internationally renowned director of movies like Titanic and Avatar stepped in to help the authorities in NASA. The last two of the four science cameras have already been delivered by the agency. The cameras, however, do not have 3D features.
The last two cameras might get replaced with 3D cameras if NASA is able to assemble the device before the final testing of the rover begins.
Mastcam(science cameras) Principal Investigator Michael Malin in a press statement said, “Restoring the zoom is not a science issue, although there will be some science benefits” The Mastcams have limited field of view in terms of the number of images that they can deliver and that is where Cameron is helping the space agency to provide much higher quality images.
NASA had planned to send its next generation rover to Mars in 2009 but lack of funds has lead to a delay in the project. Whenever the project is launched the rover will have sophisticated scientific cameras which will explore the possible existence of life on Mars.
