Authoring software for developing 3D photo-realistic terrain models.

Platform Digital proposes to develop a Remote Experience Authoring Language (REAL) that will allow educators, multi-media developers and scientists to create, quickly and easily interactive 3D models from NASA data sets for the study, evaluation and presentation of science in an engaging and fun way. REAL will enable the public to actively explore NASA remote sites via 3D computer game style representations derived from 3D sensor data from past and current NASA missions such as the Mars Global Surveyor MOLA, stereo range data from lander/Rover missions such as the 1997 Mars Pathfinder, or the Laser mapping of the Eros Asteroid. The Remote Experience Lab at Carnegie Mellon University is completing a phase-one proof of concept demo that will allow the public to explore a representation of Mars. REAL builds upon this by creating an authoring tool so that many educators and multi-media artists may create numerous remote experiences based on any NASA exploration mission. Eliminating the need to hire programmers, our software will increase the visibility and use of data collected by NASA. For the first time this data will become widely accessed and viewed. Locations throughout the solar system will be charted, mapped and explored like never before.