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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.'"

8 of 143 comments (clear)

  1. 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
  2. Why? by dangitman · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I don't see why James Cameron's involvement is necessary. Stereoscopic imaging is pretty simple technology, and it's not like James Cameron invented it. What's so hard about turning a fixed-focal-length stereo camera into one that has zoom lenses? And why would you employ a film director, rather than an optical engineer to do it?

    --
    ... and then they built the supercollider.
    1. Re:Why? by BradleyUffner · · Score: 5, Insightful

      And why would you employ a film director, rather than an optical engineer to do it?

      For the publicity. NASA is in serious need of some.

    2. Re:Why? by nmb3000 · · Score: 5, Insightful

      I don't know the level of detail that he was involved in, but Cameron did have a hand in developing the camera and he's used it in several of his movies (including Avatar).

      How much actual technical help was he? No idea, but it is called the Pace-Cameron Fusion Camera System. It must be pretty good as well considering both the amazing job it did for Avatar and the fact that the technology is going to be used in other films as well.

      And, as others mentioned, dropping his name is good for publicity and is probably designed to give the public something to look forward to from the next rover.

      --
      "What do you despise? By this are you truly known." --Princess Irulan, Manual of Muad'Dib
      /)
    3. Re:Why? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Interesting

      Stereoscopic imaging is pretty simple technology...why would you employ a film director, rather than an optical engineer to do it?

      Having worked on several stereo films (including Avatar) I can tell you that it isn't simple at all. Building something that takes stereo photos and developing an automated machine that can take effective photos with proper interocular and all that jazz are two very different things. You can hand a camera to an experienced photographer and then to your sister and get two VERY different photos. With your sister, you'd be lucky if she didn't chop off the head. With the photographer, besides setting all the settings correctly, he'd also find the most effective angle/lighting to take the photo at.

      It's also worth mentioning that Jim has had a lot of experience not only behind the camera, but also with using machines to capture imagery in very hostile enviornments. (see Ghosts of the Abyss and Aliens of the Deep.)

      Really it makes perfect sense why they'd want his input, it just helps to know more about who he is and how simple stereo photograph aint. ;)

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

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

  4. 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
  5. Does anyone bother to read the nice words? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Several people got modded up for questioning why Cameron was "hired" or "designing" the rig. He's not been hired and no one said he's designing anything. He's promoting the idea with NASA to help get people more excited about space. The Mars rover shots did more to get people excited about space than anything since the Moon landing. He's also going to be advising the team but that's legitimate given how much experience he has with 3D camera rigs, it goes back to Terminator 3D, I worked on it and he does know the subject. He also knows the best people in the field for helping them design the rig and software so he can make contacts for them. It's a growing field but 10 years ago the experts were on a very short list. I worked on several 3D productions and you always used to see a lot of the same faces. He's offering free help and he's better informed than most people here seem to give him credit for. Avatar has the best 3D ever and his pushing to make it the best was the reason why. Focusing strictly on hard science is a great way to drive people away. Also 3D images have technical value. Ever try to drive a car with one eye closed? In the future when rovers travel faster and further stereo vision systems will become more important. Now is a good time to develop the technology. Good on Jim for diving in. NASA needs all the help it can get if they are to have any hope of hanging onto their budget as money tightens up.