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May 20, 2019

LiveU HEVC Technology Supports Unique Live Coverage of NASA Astronauts’ Journey to SPACEX Launch Pad for Historic Mission

Global news organizations can pick up live feeds from SpaceX Crew Dragon launch of NASA astronauts from American soil via LiveU Matrix

LiveU is proud to assist NASA TV with transmitting live video of the journey of NASA astronauts Robert Behnken and Douglas Hurley on the SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft, lifting off on a Falcon 9 rocket from Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center on May 27th. The historic event marks the first time US Astronauts travel to the International Space Station from US soil in nearly nine years. The NASA TV crew will use a LiveU LU600 4K HEVC field unit to document the astronauts’ trip from the holding area to the rocket ship launch pad and subsequent launch. LiveU Matrix, the company’s IP content management and distribution solution, will power the worldwide distribution of multiple positioned pool cameras – provided by the Central Florida Media Committee – to cover the milestone launch.

“LiveU has proven to be an invaluable resource to NASA and other government entities, delivering the highest-quality live video for mission-critical live events,” said Mike Savello, LiveU VP of Sales, Americas. “We’re helping NASA TV give viewers an up close and personal look at the NASA Astronauts as they prepare for the launch. LiveU Matrix is allowing global media broadcasters to supplement their use of NASA’s TV feed with additional isolated live camera feeds in the days leading up to the launch to meet the needs of the viewers they serve.”

LiveU Matrix Relieves Stress of Social Distancing Requirements
State and federal requirements for social distancing reduced the number of journalists allowed to cover the launch in person at Kennedy Space Center.

The request for LiveU Matrix came from the Central Florida Media Committee, a consortium of media outlets created 10 years ago to produce pool coverage of major events. The organization required a solution to provide dynamic launch coverage while adhering to the social distance guidelines at the NASA press site. LiveU Matrix will allow any global broadcaster to pick up the multi-camera live transmissions and customize for their broadcast.

“Recently, the COVID-19 pandemic has required many press pools to be significantly reduced. By joining forces with LiveU, all local stations are able to share one feed and our respective news editing teams are able to easily see the event and push critical information and content to all platforms quickly and seamlessly,” said Allison McGinley, News Director WKMG and RTDNA Region 13 Director. “LiveU Matrix allows each station to work together safely and efficiently to get results for its local audience, while respecting the events constraints and our competitive positions.”

The SpaceX launch is scheduled for Wednesday, May 27th at 4:32 p.m. ET.
Audiences can watch it on the NASA Live [https://www.nasa.gov/nasalive]. Global news organizations will begin leveraging the Central Florida Media Committee consortium pool feeds beginning this week.

To receive the Live Feeds via LiveU Matrix
Contact LiveU support at 1-877-885-4838 or email matrix@liveu.tv to set up your feed.