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James Cameron To Develop 3-D Camera For Mars Rover

Posted by timothy on from the don't-you-mean-james-cameraman dept.

Hugh Pickens writes "Computerworld reports that movie director James Cameron, of Avatar and Titanic fame, is working with Malin Space Science Systems Inc. to build an updated 3-D camera that will be installed on the Mars Science Laboratory rover Curiosity if completed in time, to be the machine's 'science-imaging workhorse,' says Michael Malin, who is working on the camera team. Malin delivered two cameras to be installed on the rover's main mast; however NASA has provided Malin with funding to work with Cameron to build alternatives to these two cameras. 'The fixed focal length [cameras] we just delivered will do almost all of the science we originally proposed. But they cannot provide a wide field of view with comparable eye stereo,' he says. 'With the zoom [cameras], we'll be able to take cinematic video sequences in 3-D on the surface of Mars.'"

13 of 143 comments (clear)

  1. Yes, but what about the story? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    What's the narrative you're using?

    1. Re:Yes, but what about the story? by biryokumaru · · Score: 2, Funny

      And will I have to update my firmware to get the DRM to work?

      --
      When you're afraid to download music illegally in your own home, then the terrorists have won!
  2. Any Takers? by Willtor · · Score: 5, Funny

    I'm taking bets on how long it takes NASA to discover blue aliens on Mars.

    --
    "The knee is the elbow of the leg." -- My wife
    1. Re:Any Takers? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      We'll paint it blue so as to blend in.

  3. Oracle of Bacon Says... by AmigaHeretic · · Score: 5, Funny

    James Cameron -> The Terminator -> Arnold Swarchenegger -> Total Recall -> Get Your Ass to Mars!!!

  4. No need for two cameras by jms · · Score: 4, Funny

    This will satisfy the burning need for three dimensional movies of stationary martian rocks.

  5. It's obvious why NASA needs him by OrwellianLurker · · Score: 5, Funny

    Who else is going to be able to fake the Mars landing?

    --
    'Political power grows out of the barrel of a gun.' - Mao Tse-tung
  6. Someone contact NASA... by undecim · · Score: 3, Funny

    ...and make sure that they steal it rather than pay for it. That way, it will work with their hardware.

    --
    The Internet has given stupid people the resources of intelligent people.
  7. Re:Why? by GrumblyStuff · · Score: 2, Funny

    Oh god, they're making another Resident Evil movie?

  8. Halo effect by Hognoxious · · Score: 4, Funny

    I heard he grinds the lenses himself. By hand. He also wrote an optimized implementation of MLT over dinner one night. In perl.

    --
    Confucius say, "Find worm in apple - bad. Find half a worm - worse."
  9. Re:Why? by darthdavid · · Score: 4, Funny

    My sister's an excellent photographer, you insensitive clod!

  10. It worked for the Moon and it will work again! by 2.7182 · · Score: 2, Funny

    Look, if you are going to fake a landing on Mars, who would you want to be making the movie of it for you?

  11. Re:Why? by RichiH · · Score: 2, Funny

    Aliens (which I've never seen)

    Get. Out. Of. My. Slashdot.. Now!