Pics in space

摘要

Space is a punishing environment for any system. Just getting there involves great acceleration with violent vibration, and once in orbit the temperatures cycle between extremes not experienced on earth. So devising a realistic testing regime is something of a challenge, but vital as maintenance in space is anything but routine. Especially if the system is as delicate as a video camera capable of capturing items on earth just 1m across. Canadian company Urthecast aims to be the first to take video of the earth at such high resolution, using cameras mounted on the Russian Zvezda module of the International Space Station orbiting the earth at a height of 400km. The aim is to give everyone the chance to watch near-live video footage of the view that until now only spacemen have been privileged to see.