The United States' National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) will now be delivering its views and activities to your homes. Aspiring astronauts can now see their favorite 'heroes,' their job, and the breathtaking views in the void--all in ultra-high definition.
NASA is cooking up the NASA TV UHD, the first ever non-commercial consumer ultra-high definition (UHD) channel in North America with their partner Harmonics. Harmonics is one of the leading worldwide in video delivery infrastructure.
Their partnership is the result of a Space Act Agreement between Harmonic and the agency's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama.
"Partnering with Harmonic gives NASA an outlet for its UHD content, which has four times the resolution of HD and is the next iteration of digital television," said Robert Jacobs, deputy associate administrator for NASA's Office of Communications at the agency's headquarters in Washington.
According to NASA, NASA Television will have the capability to deliver linear 2160p60 video content, allowing viewers to enjoy footage on a wide range of television and internet-connected devices using an end-to-end UHD video delivery system from Harmonic.
The channel will showcase the breathtaking beauty and grandeur of space with 8-megapixel resolution of UHD at its disposal. NASA TV UHD video will be sourced from high-resolution images and video generated on the International Space Station and other current NASA missions, as well as re-mastered footage from historical missions.
"As NASA reaches new heights and reveals the unknown, the NASA TV UHD channel can bring that journey to life in every home. And as organizations at the forefront of innovation, together we are leading the adoption of this exciting technology," said Peter Alexander, chief marketing officer at Harmonic. "As the leader in UHD development, Harmonic provides a complete solution for Ultra HD video production and delivery, enabling content and service providers to offer better video quality at a low total cost of ownership."
Harmonic is presently under dialogue with pay TV operators carry the channel on the satellite, cable and optical networks for consumer access. The NASA TV UHD can also be available via stream as long as the internet connection is 13 MBps above.
NASA TV UHD will be available for public viewing on November 1.
