Panasonic Gives NASA AG-3DA1 3D Camcorder And Shoots It Into Space On Final Shuttle Mission

Panasonic has announced that it has given NASA some hardware to take to the ISS aboard the final space shuttle mission with Atlantis that launched last Friday. Panasonic sent one of its new and cool full 3D AG-3DA1 camcorders along with a BT-3DL2550 25.5-inch 3D LCD and a rugged Toughbook notebook computer to NASA. That gear was used to document the training and preparation leading to the final shuttle mission. Only the 3DA1 camcorder made the trip into space.

The camcorder will be used to document the ISS in 3D and the astronauts will use the camcorder to document several experiments that are being performed on the ISS. I wonder if the footage that is recorded with the camera will be offered in 3D for us to view after the mission. I also wonder if the astronauts will be forced to allow the camera to burn up on reentry rather than bring it back to Earth, as is often the fate of camera gear that goes into space.

Panasonic isn't the only electronic firm shooting a gadget into space. Samsung is also sending the Nexus S into space as well. The smartphone will be used on little satellites the astronauts use called SPHERES.

"Panasonic is delighted that the 3DA1 3D camcorder is playing a vital role in documenting this momentous NASA mission," said John Baisley, Executive Vice President, Panasonic Solutions Company. "Human spaceflight is about the discovery of new things and places. The amazing 3D images that the 3DA1 produces may allow a new and unique view of the exploration of space for many applications.