NASA Ultra-HD Channel to Launch with SES and Harmonic

NASA astronaut Scott Kelly posted this photo of an aurora taken from the International Space Station (ISS) to Twitter on August 15, 2015 with the caption, “Another pass through #Aurora. The sun is very active today, apparently. #YearInSpace”. Photo: NASA

[Via Satellite 09-15-2015] The U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is launching the world’s first non-commercial Ultra-HD channel with partners SES and Harmonic on Nov. 1, following preliminary testing. The space agency channel will feature Ultra-HD video sourced from high-resolution images and video generated on the International Space Station (ISS) and other current NASA missions, as well as re-mastered footage from historical missions. Using an end-to-end UHD video delivery system from Harmonic, NASA Television will have the capability to deliver linear 2160p60 video content. SES will distribute the channel over the operator’s AMC 18 satellite.

Harmonic is currently in discussions with pay-TV operators to carry the channel on satellite, cable and optical networks for consumer access. The channel also will stream on the Internet, which will require at least 13 Mbps access connectivity.

SES developed an Ultra-HD ecosystem capable of providing cable systems with linear live Ultra-HD content. Cable Multiple System Operator (MSO) Armstrong has been testing SES’ camera-to-screen Ultra-HD ecosystem first unveiled in April 2015 from its headquarters cable lab in Butler, Pa.

“Armstrong is currently undergoing trials across their cable plant, and other operators are receiving our Ultra-HD channel feeds over SES satellites and will undoubtedly be very excited to add NASA’s Ultra-HD channel to their viewing line-ups,” said Steve Corda, VP of business development for SES in North America.