SIGNATURE INITIATIVE: EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES

POSITION NASA TELEVISION FOR NEW EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES

Other Information:

Overview: NASA Television (TV) is comprised of four publicly available digital channels (three standard digital, one high definition) that provide real-­‐time coverage of the agency’s human space flight programs, science and aeronautic missions, agency news conferences, and special events. NASA TV provides daily news feeds for national and international news-­‐gathering organizations of mission activities that include launch coverage, interviews with subject matter experts, and images of space and Earth taken from the International Space Station and by NASA robotic missions across the solar system. The agency is working to eliminate the traditional “stovepipes” of media. Instead of print news releases, websites, video presentations, and TV, NASA takes the approach that it is all digital content and accessible across all media platforms supported by the agency. However, NASA recognizes that transition may take years to accomplish and is working behind-­‐the-­‐scenes to ensure new technologies adopted by the agency are not proprietary to any one medium. The concept is to make all media accessible across all platforms, from traditional cable and television systems to contemporary wireless mobile computing networks. Positioning NASA TV for new emerging technologies will have a significant impact on public transparency and the customer experience. Distribution of news feeds, education programming, and other mission-­‐ related information provides insights into Agency activities. Increasing the awareness and reach of NASA TV will bring Agency news conferences, science discoveries, and internal news and information programs to a wider audience. Challenges: Continuing mission support in the wake of the space shuttle’s retirement and providing public access to agency information and content. Moreover, the satellite distribution system known as NASA TV is not TV in the traditional sense. It is made up of encrypted satellite signals that are part of the infrastructure owned and operated by the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate. Significant content is managed by the Office of Communications, which also operates production facilities across the agency. Background: The original analog satellite transmission system known as NASA TV was established in 1981 as part of the space shuttle program and was launched with STS-­‐1 in 1981. As the Apollo program came to a close, the national TV networks dissolved a "pool" system they created to share live video of launch coverage and other mission-­‐related events. For the Apollo-­‐ Soyuz Test Project in 1975, NASA rented the technical equipment necessary to provide and distribute video of launch and other mission related activities. The agency made the decision to build TV capability as part of the new space shuttle program for both critical in-­flight mission support and for public distribution. The primary purpose of the NASA TV system is to provide mission support to the International Space Station and other agency missions. However, after the Challenger accident in 1986, the Office of Communications was provided access to the system in order to distribute news feeds, education programming, and other mission-­‐related information. The foundation of NASA TV’s programming philosophy is based on the 1958 National Aeronautics and Space Act to "provide for the widest practicable and appropriate dissemination of information…" of agency and related programs, events and discoveries. NASA Headquarters and its various field centers and other facilities maintain and operate a TV production infrastructure. These systems are most often used for news conferences, science discoveries and internal news and information programs. Funding for these facilities are inadequate to create the capability for the kind of post-­‐production services required to create an agency owned and operated TV channel as envisioned by many across the agency and in Congress. In 2005, the single analog transponder was upgraded to contemporary digital transmission standards to create four satellite signals (SDTV). In 2010, the Office of Communications directed the creation of a fifth satellite signal to distribute NASA content and information in high-­‐ definition (HDTV). In 2008, NASA TV launched a channel on the popular video Internet site You Tube. Since then, the channel often ranks in the top 50 of all channels on the site and during mission activities it is often ranked #1. To date, video material posted on this channel has been viewed more by more than 31 million people. Also, in 2009, NASA TV was honored with two Emmy Awards from the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences for its innovative use of technology. One was the Governor’s Award for Lifetime Achievement and the other was the prestigious Philo T. Farnsworth Award for outstanding achievement in engineering development. Key Milestones and Timeline: Numerous activities are planned in FY 2012 to position NASA TV for new emerging technologies. They include the following: * Issue announcements and media advisories that increase awareness of NASA TV programming. Feedback mechanisms are also included. * Work with cable TV outlets that carry NASA TV to make agency content/programs part of their on-­demand line up. * Transition all NASA TV channels to HDTV. * Use the NASA TV satellite infrastructure to enhance and improve internal communications for the agency through interactive programs featuring participation by NASA senior leadership and program and project managers. * Directly engage the NASA Advisory Committee and its new Public Outreach and Education subcommittee on ways to improve distribution and dissemination of NASA content to internal and external audiences. * Revise requirements for the Satellite Service Contract for distribution of NASA TV Channels, which will reduce the agency’s cost for distributing NASA TV content. Additional activities planned beyond FY 2012. They include: * Monitor and assess industry developments in order to develop and implement emerging 3D technology, and establish a transition from HDTV to 3D in the FY 2013/2014 timeframe to more effectively communicate the agency’s technical and science discoveries, and its mission developments. Also, migration to 3D allows NASA to keep pace with contemporary private and commercial industry standards. * Move NASA TV to a different satellite and transponder to increase the signal “footprint” to cover Hawaii and Alaska and reduce costs associated with the legacy space shuttle program satellite system.

Stakeholder(s):

• NASA Office of Communications: Office of Communications, NASA Headquarters


• NASA Mission Support Managers: Key Customer Groups: NASA mission support managers, NASA employees, the general public, news media, cable outlets, satellite service providers, and education and other institutions of learning.


• NASA Employees


• The General Public


• News Media


• Cable Outlets


• Satellite Service Providers


• Education Institutions


• Other Institutions of Learning

Objective(s):

SI 1: Feedback

SI 1 Activity 1: YouTube

SI 1 Activity 2: Facebook and Twitter

SI 1 Activity 3: NASA TV

SI 2: Best Practices

SI 2 Activity 1: On Demand Cable Access

SI 2 Activity 2: HDTV

SI 3: Metrics and Standards

SI 3 Activity 1: Internal Communications

SI 3 Activity 2: 3D Technology

SI 3 Activity 3: Content Dissemination

SI 4: Streamlining

SI 4 Activity 1: Satellite Service Contract

SI 4 Activity 2: Satellite and Transponder

Content