Tech
The first 360-degree cameras sent to space have captured stunning, high-definition images of Earth like never before seen.
Chinese tech company Insta360 recently revealed captivating photos of the blue planet against the deep darkness of space, taken by its two cameras attached to satellites orbiting Earth.
Insta360 launched the satellites with the 360-degree action cameras attached about 310 miles into space on Jan. 16 after beginning the project in July 2021.
The firm worked with Media Storm and SAR satellite company Spacety to make the goal of sending the cameras off the planet possible.
The camera company spent 12 months, including six months of research and development, to modify its retail cameras to withstand the intense environment of space. The initial launch date was set for 2022 but was postponed due to the pandemic until the launch earlier this year.
Insta360 engineers performed thousands of tests on the cameras, mimicking the extreme conditions of space to the best of their ability, the company said.
They needed to ensure the technology could withstand both extreme heat and cold as the satellites were expected to pass between temperatures as low as -94 degrees F to as high as 122 degrees F depending on the location.
The engineers also tested if the cameras were radiation and vibration-resistant, the latter of which would be most important during the launch.
“The project runs on hard work, but a fair bit of luck, too,” Insta360 said. “Space can be unpredictable, and there is no backup hardware or software if the camera runs into any issues. Luckily, both cameras and their sensors are still fully functioning and offer an incredible look at outer space.”
The satellites carrying the cameras around the planet every 90 minutes will run for two years and are programmed to leave Earth’s orbit after that, during which they’ll be burned into space.
