NASA is live streaming from space in 4K for the first time this April, revealing just how tiny and insignificant we really are in Ultra HD resolution. Here’s how you can watch this 4K space stream on your home devices, as well as catch up with previous high-def broadcasts.
Not long ago NASA began broadcasting its rocket launches in 4K, and in 2017 America’s space agency will start airing 4K footage all the way from space, live as it happens.
You can already check out masses of cool UHD footage NASA has compiled for public viewing, enough to keep you entertained for hours. But the 4K feed from space this April will be a live broadcast, so you’ll need to be setup and ready to watch to join in with the spectacle.
Here’s how to watch NASA’s first live 4K broadcast from space in 2017.
When is the NASA 4K space broadcast?
To tune in to the high-quality space feed, you’ll need to point your internet-based device at NASA’s website on Wednesday April 26.
Specifically for the UK, that feed will commence at 6:30pm. In the US, the live stream starts at 10.30am PDT.
What is this NASA 4K space live-stream all about?
The event will take place on the International Space Station, 250 miles above Earth. Astronaut Peggy Whitson will talk to a panel down on Earth, located at the 2017 National Association of Broadcasters Show in Las Vegas.
The panel will include members of NASA as well as the Amazon Web Service’s Elemental software CEO responsible for encoding the footage.
What do I need to watch the NASA 4K space broadcast?
To take full advantage of this 4K live stream, you’ll of course need a screen capable of displaying that Ultra High Definition 4K resolution.
If you have a 4K TV or a 4K monitor, these will be able to display that 3,840 x 2,160 resolution feed in full quality. However, since the whole thing will be streamed via NASA’s live events site, you will need a smart TV that can connect to the internet.
Alternatively, you can hook up a streaming box that’s capable of 4K output, or your laptop if it’s up to the job.
If you don’t have a 4K display, you’ll still be able to watch the live feed from space. Sadly the stream will be in a downgraded format, which limits the resolution to Full HD 1080p.
How will the 4K NASA space stream work?
NASA has already sent up a RED Epic Dragon Digital Camera in a previous supply launch to the ISS. This camera is capable of capturing video footage at full 4K resolution as well as broadcasting it live.
As mentioned the footage will be encoded by Amazon Web Services’ Elemental software. This will also be used to unpack the video at the other end – hopefully in a smooth high-resolution feed.
The full panel list comprises:
· NASA astronaut Tracy Caldwell Dyson
· Rodney Grubbs, NASA Imagery Experts program manager
· Bernadette McDaid, head of development, virtual reality and augmented reality at Bau Entertainment
· Khawaja Shams, vice president of engineering for AWS Elemental
· Dave McQueeney, senior principal investigator for the IBM Watson Group
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