Aug 10, 2015 | By Lilian
Only 536 people have ever been to space. But a new company called SpaceVR wants to give everyone a chance to become an astronaut, at least virtually.
Founded in January 2015 by Ryan Holmes, CEO and Isaac DeSouza, CTO, SpaceVR is the first virtual reality platform with the ability to share live 3D, 360 degree content from the International Space Station (ISS). The company has just launched a Kickstarter campaign to encourage backers to become astronauts by helping to fund Overview One, SpaceVR's high-definition camera that will be placed on the ISS's cupola, offering an astronaut's perspective of the world to consumers.
Rewards for funding the project include a first edition poster of the Earth taken from Overview One, one month of access to the first 3D, virtual reality footage captured by Overview One, a limited-edition Samsung Gear VR mirroring the look of an astronaut helmet and an invitation to a VIP dinner with the SpaceVR team in San Francisco. The public can fund the project on SpaceVR's Kickstarter page and follow its progress on social media with the hashtag #BeAnAstronaut.
"Most people once dreamed of becoming an astronaut. In reality, only a tiny fraction of humanity has experienced life outside Earth's atmosphere – just 536 people out of the 12 billion who have ever lived," said Ryan Holmes, co-founder and CEO of SpaceVR. "Our project gives everyone the opportunity to become an astronaut and to realistically experience seeing the Earth in its entirety – recognizing its preciousness and fragility in our universe. It is our goal to offer this experience to anyone through every virtual reality platform."
SpaceVR's design includes the camera mount that will be 3D-printed on the ISS and fitted with a 12-camera rig designed to shoot live 360-degree video to the International Space Station aboard a resupply mission in December. The 12-camera rig was built around a dozen GoPros and each will shoot 4K video. New virtual reality footage will be available every week. SpaceVR's co-founders say the company's technology will eventually enable live video feeds captured from Overview One to be beamed to SpaceVR subscribers on Earth.
"We want to build a strong community that understands that space exploration is now in our hands. Backers will choose where we go next, be it another spacecraft or a distant planet," said Isaac DeSouza, co-founder and CTO of SpaceVR.
Once funded, the SpaceVR team will work with its partners, NanoRacks and Made in Space, to handle launch logistics, safety approvals and astronaut relations, and 3D printing, respectively. The company has also secured former astronauts, notable scientists and space entrepreneurs on its board to advise on business and space-related matters.
"When I traveled on the ISS and looked at Earth, my conception of the scale of our planet went from unimaginably large to absolutely finite and in fact, small," said Richard Garriott, private astronaut, video game designer and SpaceVR board member. "I later learned that this sensation is common among those who have been to space, and is known as the Overview Effect. We would all benefit if we had a shared experience of this kind – I am excited to see SpaceVR launch its Kickstarter project and take the first steps to making this happen."
SpaceVR is asking for $500,000 to cover launch costs and SpaceVR's first year of operation. The campaign starts on August 10, 2015 and will run for 30 days until September 10, 2015.
Posted in 3D Printing Applications
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