SpaceVR Will Launch World’s First Virtual Reality Camera Satellite In 2017

Virtual space tourism startup SpaceVR has signed a launch agreement with NanoRacks to send the world’s first virtual reality camera satellite into space in 2017. The Overview 1 satellite will reach the International Space Station (ISS) aboard the SpaceX CRS-12 Mission, the startup announced Monday.

From the space station, it will be deployed into Low Earth Orbit using the NanoRacks CubeSat Deployer. NanoRacks runs the commercial laboratory aboard the space station and has been working with SpaceVR since 2015. Space VR will have full control of the satellite once it leaves the ISS.

“My dream, when I first had this idea at a hackathon 1.5 years ago, was to launch a VR satellite with NanoRacks. It seemed crazy and borderline unachievable. Now we are signed, paid, and moving towards something exponentially more borderline unachievable,” founder and CEO of SpaceVR Ryan Holmes said in a statement.

Overview 1 will be equipped with 4K sensors helping it capture high resolution, fully immersive, 360-degree videos of what happens on Earth. The content will be available for viewing on all virtual reality platforms from smartphones to the Oculus Rift and the StarVR.

“We are delighted that yet another innovative space company has chosen NanoRacks to realize their in-space dreams. SpaceVR promises to open a new era in connecting consumers worldwide to the beauty of outer space and we are ready to be part of that effort,” NanoRacks CEO Jeffrey Manber said.

In 2015, SpaceVR reportedly planned on sending a 12-camera rig to the ISS which could shoot 3D, 360-degree footage. But, the startup’s Kickstarter page failed to reach its $500,000 goal and the plan was cancelled in about a month.

But, in April this year, the company received an investment of nearly $1.25 million which it used to fund this new project.