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Visualized: First photo using ISS-mounted ISERV Pathfinder zooms in on Panama
It's been a while since we last heard of the ISERV Pathfinder, an imaging instrument that consists of a camera, telescope and pointing system that was sent up to the International Space Station last July. Now it appears it's safely installed inside the Destiny module on the ISS and has captured its first ever image, seen above, a few weeks ago on February 16th. The high-resolution picture is of the Rio San Pablo, an ecological transition zone that's marked as a protected area by the National Environment Authority of Panama. Captured at three to seven frames per second with about 100 images per pass, photos like these are designed to transmit details of natural disasters and environmental mishaps to developing nations. Even though NASA Marshall in Huntsville, Alabama is at the helm, it's in cahoots with researchers in Central America, East Africa and the Hindu Kush-Himalaya region to carry out its goal. Of course, they're still in the starting stages at the moment -- a few outstanding issues include the amount of sunlight needed and if the geometry of the ISS window affects the image -- but NASA hopes to open up the ISERV to other scientists in a few months once it has all its kinks worked out. To check out the stunning "first light" picture above in its full resolution, head on over to the source below.
NASA ISERV Pathfinder to link up with ISS, keep an eye out for natural disasters
It's easy to assume that the greater mysteries of the universe should require our space agency's utmost attention -- take that mission to Mars, for example. But not all of NASA's endeavors are focused on the bookends of the cosmos. In fact, the ISERV Pathfinder (short for International Space Station SERVIR Environmental Research and Visualization System), a new imaging instrument developed and constructed by its Marshall Space Flight Center, will turn a fixed eye on planet Earth from its ISS berth when it goes operational this coming November. A scheduled July 20th launch aboard Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's H-II Transfer Vehicle will ferry the device to its final destination, making it the first of an eventual series of sensor-laden "Earth-observing instruments" designed to track natural disasters, as well as climate change across various populations. Once assembled by the crew and affixed to the station's Destiny window, the system's camera will be used to map the globe and disseminate satellite imagery and data to developing nations for preventive planning and relief purposes. Sure, it's not as exciting as a fly by of Pluto's newly discovered moon, but this one's for the greater good, folks. Check out the official presser after the break.
