Japan is developing a Super Hi-Vision camera. The camera will click high definition pictures of the Martian moons. The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency and the Japan Broadcasting Corporation are together working to develop the camera. Japan wants to study the Martian moons to understand its evolution. Mars is next to Earth and the fourth from Sun. It is also the second-smallest planet. The new camera will be used in JAXA’s Martian Moons exploration mission. It will be an unmanned mission. The mission is slated for launch in 2024. The camera will click 8K ultra high definition photos. The pictures will be the first of its kind for any space agency in the world.
The Japanese spacecraft carrying the new camera will cover the distance between Earth and Mars in almost a year. It will reach the Mars orbit to explore its moons. The red planet has two natural satellites. They are Phobos and Deimos. Phobos is larger than Deimos in size, but both are irregular in shape. The two are among the smallest moons in the entire solar system. According to the JAXA, the capsule will also go into a quasi-satellite orbit around the larger moon. It will observe Phobos and land on its surface to collect samples. If all goes as per the plan, the probe will return to Earth five years later in 2029.
The agency’s decision to develop an 8K camera is significant as it can shed light on the theory of the evolution of the moon system. The outcomes will be crucial in designing future missions which include sending astronauts deep into space. Besides, it will help scientists understand the new technologies in determining the success rate of planetary missions. The International Space Station currently has the technology to stream 4K videos. Japan’s Hayabusa2 mission was also a high-definition. The Super Hi-Vision camera will partially be able to send 4K and 8K images back to Earth because of the heavy file sizes. The full-size pictures will be available only after the probe’s return to Earth.
