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/ 08.24.2010 2:00PM
“Avatar” Phenom Cameron Stumps for NASA
WASHINGTON: James Cameron is coming
out from behind the camera to plug for the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration. The “Avatar” director has done a series of public service
announcements for the agency. The spots focus on NASA’s Earth science program
and its contribution to environmental awareness.
“When NASA ventures into space, it remembers to keep a steady eye on home,”
Cameron said. “Its fleet of Earth-orbiting satellites constantly reveals our
whole planet: its remotest places, its mysteries and the powerful influence of
humans.”
Cameron’s 3-D epic, “Avatar,” based on the fictional planet of Pandora, is
coming back to theaters this week. The story carries a heavy environmental
message. The NASA PSAs feature “Avatar” film imagery and include computer
animations and data from NASA’s fleet of Earth-observing satellites. NASA says
it has 14 science satellites in orbit making global observations
of the atmosphere, oceans, land surface,
snow and ice.
NASA Television will broadcast the announcements starting Tuesday. They also
will be provided for other interested media outlets.
The PSAs come as NASA fights to retain funding for programs. The five-year moon
mission was flamed out of the 2011 budget, and there will be no new, ongoing NASA space
shuttle missions for the time being. The proposed 2011 allocation is $19 billion,
compared to $18.3 billion for 2010.
-- Deborah D. McAdams
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