Madison Square Garden’s Sphere Studios has worked with Nanoraks and the International Space Station’s ISS National Lab to send an ultra-special camera up to the ISS.

On this mission, MSG Sphere Studios sent the highest-resolution camera system ever launched to the ISS to establish critical baseline knowledge in microgravity conditions and the harsh environment of space. The camera will be operated inside the ISS for approximately 60 days, and data and imagery gathered will help shape plans for a new, ultra-high resolution camera system being developed for MSG Sphere.

The ISS National Lab works together with NASA to maximise use of the orbiting laboratory to bring value to humanity through space-based research and technology demonstrations. Nanoracks, a leading global provider of commercial access to space, installed and manages the first commercial airlock on the ISS and is designing a commercial space station to succeed the ISS after it is decommissioned. Nanoracks is certifying the camera for in-space use, integrating the camera for launch and will facilitate operations on the ISS to test MSG Sphere’s capture technology.

MSG Sphere is a new entertainment medium that will deliver immersive experiences at an unparalleled scale, which requires developing custom content creation tools, including camera and lens technology capable of producing ultra-high-resolution images.

The Company’s first MSG Sphere is under construction in Las Vegas, Nevada, and is expected to open in the second half of 2023. Once complete, it will be the largest spherical structure in the world, with an exterior exosphere that features a fully-programmable 580,000 square foot LED display, the largest LED screen on Earth.

Inside, the Vegas venue will house the world’s highest resolution LED screen – a 160,000 square foot display plane that will wrap up, over, and behind the audience at a resolution over 80 times that of a high-definition television. With approximately 17,500 seats and a scalable capacity up to 20,000 guests, MSG Sphere at The Venetian will become the venue of choice for a wide variety of content, including original attractions, concert residencies, product launches and marquee sporting events.

Andrew Shulkind, MSG Sphere Studios’ SVP/Capture and Innovation, who serves as the programme’s project lead and Principal Investigator, said: “Our vision with MSG Sphere is to create immersive experiences that transport audiences to new places, and there are few landscapes more awe-inspiring than space. The insights and imagery we gain from this first mission will be invaluable to prepare our ground-breaking camera technology for working in space, and push our collective understanding of Earth and deep space. We are thrilled to be collaborating with Nanoracks, the ISS National Lab and NASA on this project, which we believe will not only benefit the extraordinary vision of MSG Sphere, but also set a new bar for ultra-high-fidelity imaging.”

Madison Square Garden Entertainment (MSG Entertainment) is a leader in live entertainment. The Company presents or hosts a broad array of events in its diverse collection of venues: New York’s Madison Square Garden, Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden, Radio City Music Hall and Beacon Theater; and The Chicago Theatre. MSG Entertainment is also building a new state-of-the-art venue in Las Vegas, MSG Sphere at The Venetian. In addition, the Company features the original production – the Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes – and through Boston Calling Events, produces the Boston Calling Music Festival. The Company’s two regional sports and entertainment networks, MSG Network and MSG Sportsnet, deliver a wide range of live sports content and other programming. Also under the MSG Entertainment umbrella is Tao Group Hospitality, with entertainment dining and nightlife brands including: Tao, Hakkasan, Omnia, Marquee, Lavo, Beauty & Essex and Cathédrale.

Other posts by Chris Forrester:

1. Collar departure: “Hard to see a positive read”
2. Dish, DirecTV keen to merge?
3. Boeing accused of technology theft
4. Analyst: Satellite DTD market worth billions
5. Bank: Rocket Lab value boosted by Virgin Orbit assets
6. Analyst: “TV Industry consolidation inevitable”
7. Intelsat: ‘Insider trading’ appeal lodged
8. ESA boss praises SpaceX
9. How Virgin Orbit lost a billion dollars

Categories: Blogs, Equipment, Inside Satellite, UHD

Tags: ISS, Las Vegas, NASA, new york