Space Station Live

Space Station Live
Summary: "In the past four decades just over 400 humans have been lucky enough to have ventured into space. The rest of the 6 billion humans living on earth rely on pictures and firsthand accounts to appreciate the experience of space exploration. SPACE STATION LIVE: HD is a pioneering broadcast initiative that has given viewers live high definition video from the International Space Station (ISS) for the first time in human history. Nearly five years in the making, SPACE STATION LIVE: HD was created and produced through a partnership between NASA, NHK and Discovery Communications. The mission: to develop and create the technology to transmit the first ever live broadcast from space in high definition. The purpose: to give viewers on earth the most pristine and clearest images of space and earth, bringing them closer than ever before to the experience of being in space.

'The live downlink and program was broadcast on November 15th at 11:30AM EST. In our live HD control room Host Robert Hager provided some background and insight to the audience as NASA readied the ISS for the live transmission. Working with NASA's Mission Control contact was made with ISS and a crystal clear image from the Space Station appeared live in true high definition. Astronaut Michael Lopez-Alegria then addressed a nationwide audience, giving viewers an in-depth tour of the Destiny science laboratory, showing viewers a live picture of the earth for the first time ever in high definition and sharing a meal while discussing the importance of diet and nutrition on long duration spaceflight. SPACE STATION LIVE: HD was broadcast live on Discovery HD Theater and in Times Square NYC on the jumbotrons. Portions of the live downlink were made available to nationwide news agencies to ensure that all viewers would have access to the historical broadcast event. In addition, area school children were brought in to several Discovery Channel Stores across the nation to witness this live event as part of a science field trip experience.

'The SPACE STATION LIVE: HD project through a long-term partnership with NASA and NHK pioneered new broadcast technology enabling millions of earth-bound viewers the opportunity to experience the most pristine and clearest images of space and earth live, at the moment of discovery. The SPACE STATION LIVE: HD project has changed the way the viewing public will experience space exploration in the future -- views of earth and space on future missions are forever enhanced by this event and will bring the viewing public closer than ever to the space experience."--2006 Peabody Awards entry form.

Corporate Producers: Discovery Productions, Inc. | United States. National Aeronautics and Space Administration | Nihon Hōsō Kyōkai | Discovery HD Theater (Television station)

Persons Appearing: Robert Hager (Host) | Michael Lopez-Alegria (Guest)

Broadcast Date: November 15, 2006