Space Product Development Weekly Highlights – September 23, 2002

Joint CSC High-Definition Television (HDTV) Payload

On September 17, representatives of five Commercial Space Centers (CSCs), NASA Headquarters, and the Space Product Development (SPD) Office met at Florida Atlantic University to discuss development of a new payload. Currently designated “Space HDTV”, the payload will consist of a HDTV camera to be used on the International Space Station (ISS) to support ISS and educational needs. Development of the system is planned to take place over the next two years.

Up to six CSCs will be involved, each contributing to the camera system in their particular area of expertise. The six CSCs and their area of involvement are:

• Imaging Technology Commercial Space Center (ITCSC) at Florida Atlantic University (the camera itself)
• Commercial Space Center for Engineering at Texas A&M University (systems integration)
• Center for Satellite and Hybrid Communications Networks at the University of Maryland (communications)
• Medical Informatics Technology and Applications Center at Virginia Commonwealth University (telemedicine applications)
• Center for Space Power at Texas A&M University (power and thermal)
• Center for Space Power and Advanced Electronics at Auburn University (electronics)