NASA to launch its UHD channel on November 1

Previously NASA has been posting its videos on its YouTube channel for a long time. Today, the agency announced that it will be launching its own channel “NASA TV UHD” in collaboration with Harmonic. The channel will first be launched in North America. This came as a result of the Space Act Agreement between NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center and Harmonic. Harmonic is a company that provides video delivery infrastructure and has been helping NASA with delivering its 4K videos. The American space agency calls it’s the ‘first non-commercial UHD channel’. Anyone having an internet connection of 13 Mbps or plus will be able to access the channel on internet. However, some TV operators might also provide the channel. According to reports from NASA, Harmonic is trying to tie up with some paid TV operators to carry the channel on cable, optical and satellite networks. But, few haven’t heard of any finalized deal.

Robert Jacobs, Deputy Associate Admin, Office of Communications, NASA, said, “Partnering with Harmonic gives NASA an outlet for its UHD content, which has four times the resolution of HD and is the next iteration of digital television.”
What you will get to see on the new channel?

A 4K footage that has been shot on International Space Station in the last few months will be featured on the NASA TV UHD channel. Other than this some 4K time-lapses will also be shown. These have been created from photos that were taken from ISS. NASA said it will be re-mastering the video footages of its historical missions and others. The channel is expected to be launched on 1st November, 2015.

Harmonic will be using the end – to – end UHD video delivery system that will allow NASA television to deliver a great linear 2160p60 video content. Thus, the users will be able to enjoy the videos on a number of internet – connected devices and TVs. The channel will leverage the 8 MP UHD resolution for showcasing the space’s beauty and grandeur.
Peter Alexander, Chief Marketing Officer, Harmonic, said, “As NASA reaches new heights and reveals the unknown, the NASA TV UHD channel can bring that journey to life in every home. And as organizations at the forefront of innovation, together we are leading the adoption of this exciting technology. As the leader in UHD development, Harmonic provides a complete solution for Ultra HD video production and delivery, enabling content and service providers to offer better video quality at a low total cost of ownership.”