James Cameron Brings 3D to Mars

Apparently tired for the moment of filming fantasy planets in 3-D, film director James Cameron plans to help build a 3-D camera for the next generation of NASA Mars rovers.

Pasadena Star-News reported recently the space agency originally planned for such a camera to be used on Curiosity, the next rover set for launch next year. However, the project was scaled back because the mission was constantly behind schedule and over budget.

Cameron, of “Avatar” fame, then became involved in January when he lobbied to be part of the project. The filmmaker told NASA officials he felt the public would become more connected with the mission if the Mars rover had a better set of eyes.

While Jet Propulsion Laboratory of Pasadena was in charge of the project in 2007, the San Diego-based Malin Space Science Systems is putting together the mast-mounted camera with Cameron being listed as co-investigator.