ESA is going 3D
In space, astronauts learn to live and work in three dimensions. Now you can experience space with an extra dimension with ESA’s collection of 3D images.
Over half a million viewers have already seen ESA’s world-first 3D transmissions from space on our 3D YouTube channel. More than 150 images are now available in 3D in our Flickr gallery.
Prepare for liftoff from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana or the Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Imagine floating in the International Space Station or exploring the surface of Mars in 3D.
To view the images to full effect you need to wear red/cyan glasses.
Astronauts on the Space Station have been taking 3D pictures since 2003. ESA astronaut Pedro Duque was the first to use the Agency’s special combination of two traditional film cameras.
In 2006 Thomas Reiter used the first digital 3D camera on the Space Station, recording high-resolution images directly to a hard disk.
Paolo Nespoli took a high-definition camera with him to the Space Station in 2010. This version can transmit live 3D images, first used by astronaut Ron Garan in a live video call to ESA in the Netherlands.
ESA astronaut André Kuipers continues to send 3D pictures, so check the Flickr gallery to see his latest productions.
