NASA tests new equipment for the next lunar mission

Carlos Fontanot, Imagery Manager of ISS (NASA), once again stars in one of the most interesting presentations at the world summit on Ultra High Definition.

The 4K-HDR Summit has once again counted in this fifth edition with Carlos Fontanot, Imagery Manager of ISS (NASA), who has once again given one of the most interesting presentations of this world summit on Ultra High Definition.

Fontanot began his speech by stating that since the beginning of the space race, the American Space Agency had to create its own cameras to film on the first missions. "Until Apollo

Now NASA collaborates closely with the audiovisual industry to test the latest technology in capture. Some of the latest additions have been two cameras RED Dragon Helium with which they are capturing spectacular images in 8K resolution aboard the International Space Station.

Fontanot has also commented that one of the main challenges on the Space Station is to adapt the new technology to the existing one. combining IP solutions with SDI.

The data management It is another challenge, "since we have more and more sources of information with all types of cameras on board, and as technology advances, with more resolution. These changes must be made on board and can affect existing systems in terms of image contribution."

Fontanot has also pointed out that the return to the Moon planned for 2024 It will involve the development of new technologies, many of which are already being tested from the Space Station.

NASA will put a gateway into orbit (a small space station, as Fontanot has defined it) from which the vehicles that will travel to our satellite and Mars will leave in an elliptical orbit around the Moon.

The importance of having Ultra High Definition images is not only related to the collection of audiovisual material but is key from a technical point of view since they help detect failures, micro-impacts...

In this aspect, Fontanot has highlighted how space radiation affects sensors of the cameras. “We will have to better protect the sensors to preserve them from the impacts of gamma rays, especially for long-duration trips such as the Moon or Mars,” he stressed.

At this time, the Agency is exploring Ultra High Definition (8K), the possibilities of HDR and greater efficiency in data processing. Looking ahead to the new mission to the Moon, the challenge will be to determine if there will be enough bandwidth to, in addition to telemetry and communications, be able to send 4K signals. And unlike 50 years ago, in 2024 we could see a woman stepping on the lunar surface in 4K as part of the Artemis project, which will mean the return of manned missions to the Earth's satellite.