JAXA and Ricoh release 360-degree spherical pictures and videos captured in outer space

TOKYO, Japan – October 17, 2019 – Ricoh Company, Ltd., (Tokyo, Japan) today announced that the 360-degree spherical camera jointly developed with Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) successfully captured 360-degree spherical pictures and videos in outer space.

The camera was installed to monitor the operation of the biaxial gimbal of the SOLISS (Small Optical Link for International Space Station)¹. It was carried aboard the H-II Transfer Vehicle (HTV8) “KOUNOTORI-8”, the cargo transporter to the International Space Station (ISS), which was launched on September 25th, 2019. The camera shot spherical pictures and videos from the Exposed Facility of the Japanese Experiment Module (JEM) “Kibo” and which were then sent to ground stations. This camera was developed from a consumer product and is the world’s smallest 360-degree camera that can be used in outer space. This is the first time that this 360-degree camera took spherical images in outer space.

The camera was based on Ricoh’s compact spherical camera RICOH THETA², and JAXA has modified this camera so it could be used in space and withstand the heat and radiation. Given the camera’s compact size and light weight, as well as the fact that the camera can shoot 360-degree spherical images in a single shot, it has proved very useful when capturing a lot of visual information whilst in outer space.

The pictures and videos will be available via the JAXA Digital Archives (JDA). Also in Ricoh’s THETA LAB, the pictures and videos can be viewed as 360-degree images via a web browser. You can also simulate the experience of being in outer space using a VR headset.

Ricoh will continue expand the use of its 360-degree cameras and related services to a wide variety of industries. It will also contribute to the development of science and society, including space development, through technology research and development.

1. Small Optical Link for International Space Station: JAXA and Sony Computer Science Laboratories, Inc. jointly developed a long-distance laser communication system under the Request for Proposal (RFP) joint study framework of the JAXA Space Exploration Innovation HUB Center³, with the aim of establishing a real-time, mass-data communication system for future inter-satellite communications and communications with ground stations.

2. RICOH THETA external dimensions (excluding lens): 44mm (W) x 130mm (H) x 22.9mm (17.9mm) (D)

3. A project which JAXA has been commissioned by the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) under its innovation hub start-up program. (“Open Innovation Hub for Expanding Humanosphere and the Domain of Human Activity through Solar System Frontier Development”)

JAXA Digital Archives 

http://jda.jaxa.jp/en/

JAXA Space Exploration Innovation Hub Center  

http://www.ihub-tansa.jaxa.jp/english/index.html

THETA LAB　

https://www.thetalab.ricoh/en/

JAXA and Ricoh jointly develop a compact spherical camera for use in outer space

https://www.ricoh.com/release/2019/0828_1/