Available online
Description
The programme, filmed mainly at the Jet Propulsion Laboratories, Pasadena, examines the facsimile camera system used in the Viking Mars lander.
The programme, filmed mainly at the Jet Propulsion Laboratories, Pasadena, examines the facsimile camera system used in the Viking Mars lander.
| Module code and title: | ST291, Images and information |
|---|---|
| Item code: | ST291; 12 |
| First transmission date: | 11-08-1977 |
| Published: | 1977 |
| Rights Statement: | |
| Restrictions on use: | |
| Duration: | 00:24:30 |
| + Show more... | |
| Producer: | Tony Jolly |
| Contributors: | Barrie Jones; Thomas Mutch |
| Publisher: | BBC Open University |
| Keyword(s): | Cameras; Facsimilie; Imaging system; Jet Propulsion Lab; Pasadena; Photography; Radio transmission systems |
| Footage description: | Barrie Jones introduces the programme. Shots of Mars from an earth telescope, from Mariner 9 cameras and from the Viking lander. Shots of a full scale working model of the Viking lander. Tim Mutch recalls some of the basic design constraints which led to the selection of a facsimile camera for the Viking lander. Fred Huck uses a full scale working model of the Viking lander to point out the facsimile camera's component parts and to explain how the camera works. An animated schematic model is also shown to help illustrate points made. Tim Mutch introduces Bill Patterson who goes on to explain how the signal from the facsimile camera on Mars is transmitted back to earth. He uses a scale model of the Viking lander to help illustrate his points. Several shots, both aerial and from the ground of receiving antennas at Goldstone, Arizona. Tim Mutch introduces a sequence dealing with computer enhancement of pictures. Film shots of computer operators applying various enhancements to facsimile pictures from Mars. The images are seen on VDUs and represent a first order image processing display. Bill Green explains how a variety of more detailed enhancements are performed on the camera images which have been transferred to magnetic tape. He demonstrates two techniques, contrast-stretching and high-pass filtering, on a VDU. Green goes on to build up a full colour image of the Martian surface on the VDU screen. A discussion between Tim Mutch, Bill Patterson and Fred Huck on how the Viking camera system lived up to design specifications. They go on to discuss changes which could be made in future missions, looking particularly at method of improving spectral resolution. Barrie Jones sums up (very briefly) Shots of Jones walking in a simulated Martian landscape (credits over). |
| Master spool number: | DOU2524 |
| Production number: | FOUS731D |
| Videofinder number: | 2123 |
| Available to public: | no |
