Sony Group Corporation
Towards an era where anyone can take pictures from space! Recruitment of participants for “Space Photography Experience” using the artificial satellite “EYE” begins today
~Furthermore, “EYE Connect” is now compatible with smartphones. Experience connecting with the universe in your daily life! ～ ……
Sony Group Corporation (hereinafter “Sony”) is launching a new service called “Space Photography” that allows participants to take pictures from space using the microsatellite “EYE” operated by the “STAR SPHERE” project. We have started recruiting participants for the first round of “Experience” today, Tuesday, February 13, 2024. In addition, the web application “EYE Connect”, which simulates the orbit of “EYE” and allows you to experience the scenery of space as seen by “EYE”, is now compatible with smartphone operations. STAR SPHERE will continue to expand the circle of space-moving experiences through various activities so that as many people as possible can easily experience the feeling of being connected to the universe.
[Image 1: https://prtimes.jp/i/103296/8/resize/d103296-8-8eb8bff6ec399b110fdb-0.jpg&s3=103296-8-f95127c26a95eaaba1b05147c9ebab15-1920×1280.jpg] Take pictures of the universe and the earth yourself from space. The “Space Photography Experience” is an unprecedented service in which participants can send photographing instructions to “EYE” flying through outer space and take photographs from space. We plan to offer it for a limited time in 2024, and the first time will be available to 30 people selected by lottery in March 2024.
For taking pictures from space, we use the web application “EYE Connect” (described later), which can be operated intuitively without any specialized knowledge. While simulating the position and camera angle of “EYE” in outer space, you can request the location where the camera shutter should be released, and you will receive a space photo taken by “EYE” at a later date.
The “Space Photography Experience” is not only available for individuals, but also for groups of multiple people, such as families, friends, and school classes. The photo you choose for yourself, your family, and your friends will become a one-of-a-kind souvenir on a cosmic scale.
Operate a satellite and take pictures of space and the Earth yourself. Would you like to have such a new experience? We look forward to your participation!
▼“Space photography experience” details page
For more information on the experience process, please check the official website below.
https://starsphere.sony.com/ja/news/detail.html?id=sp_space-photo_main *The “Space Photography Experience” is free. Also, it is only available to people living in Japan (provided in Japanese).
*Depending on the shooting angle or weather conditions, the shooting may not be as intended.
*Depending on the operational status of the satellite, we may propose a different shooting date and location than your desired date and time. note that.
Outline of the 1st “Space Photography Experience”
[Event schedule]
・Application acceptance period: February 13, 2024 (Tuesday) 13:00 to February 25, 2024 (Sunday) 23:59
・Winner announcement period: February 27, 2024 (Tuesday) to February 29, 2024 (Thursday)
・Photography experience period: March 6, 2024 (Wednesday) – April 24, 2024 (Wednesday)
・Shooting period by “EYE”: March 12, 2024 (Tuesday) – March 29, 2024 (Friday) ・The shooting experience period includes guidance and a downlink period for the images taken.
*Winner announcements will be made to the registered email address only to the winners.
[Capacity] 30 pairs
[Cost] Free
[Eligibility for application] Those residing in Japan
*If you are a minor, please apply with the consent of your guardian. For application methods, other details, and contact information, please see the recruitment page on the official website below. https://starsphere.sony.com/ja/news/detail.html?id=sp_space-photo_ex01 We also plan to gradually recruit participants for additional “space photography experiences”.
“EYE Connect” is also compatible with smartphones
“EYE Connect” is a web application that predicts the future orbit of “EYE” and allows you to experience the scenery of space actually seen by “EYE.” In addition to the PC environment we have been providing since January 2024, we now support use from smartphones. People of all ages can easily open “EYE Connect” in their daily lives, feel the existence of “EYE” flying through space, and enjoy a worldview connected to the universe.
“EYE Connect” is available for free to anyone who registers for an account (crew). Please enjoy it.
[Image 2: https://prtimes.jp/i/103296/8/resize/d103296-8-6c6fff24a05625ab6080-0.png&s3=103296-8-0613144ef0cef94e788b01f590ab519c-1920×1280.png ]
▼“EYE Connect”
https://starsphere.sony.com/eyeconnect/
*Available only to those residing in Japan (provided in Japanese). *If you want to enjoy it on your smartphone, we recommend using it in a Wi-Fi environment.
*It does not project a real-time view of the universe.
*Anyone can use “EYE Connect” to select the location where the camera shutter will be released. The function to actually request “EYE” to take a photo is a function that only participants in the “Space Photography Experience” can use on “EYE Connect.” What is STAR SPHERE?
“STAR SPHERE” is a project to make space more familiar to everyone and to discover the “perspective of space” together. By enjoying the things, things, and cultures around us from a “cosmic perspective”, we can enrich our daily lives and the future of the earth. We are aiming for such a future.
As a first step, in January 2023, with the cooperation of JAXA, we developed and successfully launched the microsatellite “EYE” equipped with a Sony camera together with the University of Tokyo. We are working on a new experience that connects us to the universe through shooting with “EYE.” This small satellite, which serves as everyone’s “eyes,” continues to stare at the Earth from space. Related URL
STAR SPHERE official website
https://starsphere.sony.com/
STAR SPHERE Official X
https://twitter.com/STARSPHERE_Sony
STAR SPHERE Official YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/@sonystarsphere643
More details about this release:
https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000008.000103296.html