NASA broadcasts first HDTV space program
The first HDTV broadcast from space took place Wednesday, featuring the International Space Station's Expedition 14 Cmdr. Michael Lopez-Alegria.
The telecast was carried by Discovery HD Theater and NHK and was also shown at Discovery Channel stores. Known as the Space Video Gateway, the system transmits high bandwidth digital television signals to the ground that are not only spectacular, but also valuable to scientists, engineers and managers, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration said.
After the broadcast, the space station's crew resumed testing of one the station's four control moment gyros, with engineers at ISS mission control in Houston repeating some testing that was performed earlier.
NASA scientists will compare the results with the previous tests to obtain additional data on the state of the accelerometer, lubricant and lubrication of the gyro's spin bearings.
Preparations were also under way for a spacewalk next Wednesday that will include a commercial golf experiment performed by flight engineer Mikhail Tyurin. NASA said the experiment is dedicated to the 200th anniversary of establishing diplomatic ties between Russia and the United States and to commemorate the golf shot Alan Shepard Jr. performed on the moon.
Copyright 2006 by United Press International
