ACADEMIA

NASA is gearing up for its shuttle fleet's return to flight with the upgrade of its visual analysis equipment at its Ice/Debris Image Analysis Facility at Kennedy Space Center. The DLA-QX1, JVC PROFESSIONAL PRODUCTS ultra-high resolution projector, will be used to analyze flight shuttle data in conjunction with the SGI Onyx visualization system from Silicon Graphics. Upgrades to the Ice/Debris Facility are part of NASA's preparation for the Discovery shuttle launch scheduled for July 13, 2005. NASA monitors each shuttle launch using hundreds of cameras that capture images from every possible angle and phase of the launch. Once the film and video images are gathered, they are uploaded onto SGI visualization and storage systems where the film is scanned and stored. The DLA-QX1 projector enables NASA's Ice/Debris Team to view and analyze ultra high-resolution (2048 x 1536) images onto an 8-foot wide screen. This state-of-the-art system, integrated by SGI Professional Services, allows NASA scientists to view images on a frame-by-frame basis and perform preliminary video analysis prior to a shuttle launch and provide more detailed film analysis following a launch for evaluation. "We turned to JVC because NASA required the highest resolution and image quality available," said Bill Van Dyken, solutions architect, SGI. "This projector in combination with best-of-breed signal and display components makes for a truly amazing and unique display system." "We're honored to have our QX1 projector in NASA's Ice/Debris Facility," said Tom Stites, Director, Business Development, JVC PROFESSIONAL PRODUCTS COMPANY. "The projector's clarity, crispness and image quality is guaranteed to meet the demands of NASA's high resolution requirements. We have a long- standing relationship with NASA and have provided them with high-resolution displays and projectors. It's exciting to see JVC's QX1 projector integrated in such a high-tech application."