Urthecast signs space gear deal

Calgary-based Urthecast has taken another giant leap toward launching the world’s first HD video platform of Earth from space.

The company said Monday it has entered into a contract with MacDonald, dettwiler and associates Ltd., who will supply “information solutions” to support Urthecast’s streaming of video from the International Space Station. The $4.2-million agreement includes supplying space data handling hardware (data compression units), which will be integrated into Urthecast’s two highdefinition video cameras.

The Russian space agency is among other organizations involved in the project.

“A project like this is obviously quite involved and complex, and MDA is the right partner,” Urthecast president Scott Larson said.

His company plans to provide a high-resolution video data platform for Internet users, app developers, educators and environmental monitoring services, among others.

The two cameras — one medium and one high-resolution — are to be installed by astronauts on the International Space Station in late 2012. Once mounted, the cameras will stream near-live video and static imagery to Earth, and will provide opportunities to view Earth in high-definition.

“A large part of Urthecast’s vision involves education — a commitment to providing a tool that will allow educators and students to interact with and absorb information about Earth and space,” Larson said.

Images will be offered via a consumer-focused website created by Urthecast, a subsidiary of Earth Video Camera Inc.