General questions
1. Why Earth Portraits?
If you could fly in space like Richard Garriott will, where on Earth would you want to see? Barring booking your own flight to orbit, the Association of Space Explorers' Earth Portraits presents the first opportunity for the general public to request their own virtual window from space. Your photograph will be your personal view of the Earth to share with your family, friends and co-workers.
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2. What is the Association of Space Explorers?
The Association of Space Explorers (ASE) is an independent, nonprofit 501(c)(3) professional and educational organization of over 300 flown astronauts and cosmonauts from 32 nations. Founded in 1985, ASE's mission is to provide a forum for professional dialogue among individuals who have flown in space; to promote the benefits of space science and exploration; to promote education in science and mathematics and inspire students at all levels; to foster environmental awareness; and to encourage international cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space.
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3. Who is Richard Garriott?
Richard Garriott is the son of former NASA astronaut Owen Garriott. A video game programmer and designer, Garriott was behind the creation of the popular Ultima series and the new Tabula Rasa multiplayer online role-playing games. He is scheduled to fly on a Russian Soyuz spacecraft to the International Space Station in October 2008; he will remain on-board for 10 days conducting a variety of educational and scientific programs and experiments. Earth observation will be one of his prime tasks on this flight, and he will use the Windows on Earth system to help him photograph specific targets.
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4. What is Windows on Earth?
Windows on Earth is a revolutionary software tool developed by TERC and the Association of Space Explorers, designed to realistically simulate the actual view out of particular windows on the ISS, with targets for photography clearly marked. The Windows on Earth tool meets a current need to help astronauts identify and take photos of targets as they enter and pass through the field of view of the Earth-viewing windows. A ground-based version of this flight software will also support target selection by JSC Earth scientists and others. Moreover, it provides a useful tool for astronaut training in Earth observation techniques. The design of this tool has been developed in collaboration with the astronaut members of the ASE and JSC's Crew Earth Observations group, and supports the ongoing science research of the earth observations program.
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5. What is TERC?
TERC (Technical Education Research Centers), a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, develops cutting-edge resources for science, math, engineering and technology education. TERC is working to transform education from reading about science to doing science. The result is nothing short of a revolution in Earth and space science education — a revolution that encourages students to investigate and explore the Earth around them and the universe beyond. TERC's work on Windows on Earth was funded in part by the National Science Foundation.
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6. What is collectSPACE.com?
Founded in 1999, collectSPACE.com is the leading online resource and community for space history enthusiasts, including historians, museum curators and conservators, educators, students, authors and private collectors of space history memorabilia. The website offers original news and feature articles, an active discussion board with the participation of many who helped make space history, and the only worldwide calendar for astronauts' and cosmonauts' public appearances. The Association of Space Explorers' Earth Portraits program is an exclusive presentation of collectSPACE.com.
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Your Earth Portrait
1. Where on Earth can I request a photograph?
You may select any area of the Earth between 53 degrees North and South latitudes, over which the space station will fly. However, it is expected that lighting conditions for the period of Richard's flight will favor photography of the Northern Hemisphere. Furthermore, his mission timeline and activities will be designed to maximize opportunities for photography of the continental United States and southern Canada.
Potential targets you might consider include hometowns, landmarks (e.g. the Grand Canyon) or your favorite coastline.
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2. What will I be able to see in the photograph?
It is anticipated that your photo will show an area about 20 miles by 30 miles (30 km by 45 km) if taken looking straight down at Earth (referred to as the nadir view) with a resolution of features on the ground of approximately 100 feet (30 meters). Most photographs will be taken near the nadir, although the particular orbital parameters in October may dictate a more oblique perspective.
Generally speaking, you should not expect to see roads or houses (nor people), but should be able to make out area lakes and rivers, forests and mountain ridges, as well as other large formations.
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3. How do I find my latitude and longitude?
To enter your Earth Portraits' request into the Windows on Earth software, you will need to provide the latitude and longitude coordinates for which you would like Richard to target the photograph. Given the possible resolution and the parameters of the software, we ask that you provide the coordinates in the format: Lat. = XX.X N or S, Long. = YYY.Y E or W
There are several ways to find the coordinates of your chosen location, from using a paper map or atlas, to using online websites and software (e.g. Google Earth). You can read more about finding your latitude and longitude at the National Atlas website.
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4. What type of camera will be used?
It is likely that the majority of photographs taken by Richard for this program will be with a Nikon D3 digital camera with a 250mm lens.
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5. Will I receive a digital file of my photograph?
While we expect to be able to provide each Earth Portraits subscriber with the high resolution digital file for their photograph, due to the logistics involved we cannot guarantee the file's availability and therefore it is not included with the Earth Portraits package. If the digital file is not available, the Association of Space Explorers will make every effort to facilitate post-flight requests for enlargements or more copies of your photograph.
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6. What will I receive with my Earth Portrait?
Earth Portraits subscribers will have the opportunity to request a photograph of a specific location on Earth, to be taken by Garriott during his week-long stay on the space station. Once back home, Garriott will autograph and inscribe each Earth Portrait with a message of the subscriber's choice. Further, every subscriber has the bonus opportunity to receive a collectible item that flew with Garriott on his mission.
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7. When will I receive my Earth Portrait?
It is expected that we will be able to deliver your inscribed photograph in early- to mid-February 2009. Before then, as a subscriber, you will receive monthly updates by e-mail as to the status of Richard's progress and the Windows on Earth program.
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8. What if my photograph cannot be taken?
If, as a result of weather conditions, orbital parameters or other reasons, your photograph is not taken, the Association of Space Explorers will work with you to substitute it with another image taken by Richard of your choice (excluding others' Earth Portrait photographs). We expect however, that Richard will have an ample opportunity to capture each of the Earth Portraits targets located in the optimized region for his flight.
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9. What is the cancellation and/or refund policy?
Due to the nature of this program, barring a cancellation of Richard's flight, all orders are non-refundable.
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10. What if I have additional questions?
You are welcome to contact the Association of Space Explorers or collectSPACE.
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