One year after Mars Pathfinder successfully touched down on the Red Planet, RVR Software announces the release of Mars VR, a comprehensive CD-ROM on the Pathfinder Mission. Mars VR uses photographic VR of the landing site as an interface to a complete collection of Pathfinder images and science results.
"Now, personal computer users as well as NASA scientists can explore the
Pathfinder landing site and drive the Sojourner Rover," said Ran Van Riper,
executive producer of Mars VR. "Teachers, students, and Mars fans of all
ages can point and click their way around the landing site to learn
everything Pathfinder has taught us about Mars."
The CD-ROM for Macintosh and Windows consists of a series of interlinked
modules. In "Mars 360," users can click and drag in a high-resolution VR
panorama to look around the landing site. Mousing over a rock reveals its
name, and clicking on it leads to a closeup image of it made by the Rover.
In "Rover Movies," users drive the Rover over and around rocks with
nineteen VR movies made from real video. And in "Mars Science," users can
reach in and rotate VR globes of Mars and its moon Phobos.
Mars VR includes over 200 screens of information and QuickTime movies about
the Pathfinder mission and Martian climate, geology, and life. "History"
reviews the details of all spacecraft sent to Mars, and "Tools" includes
detailed photographs of Pathfinder's cameras, research tools, and computer
circuitry. The "Quiz Bowl" section features quizzes on the CD's content in
an interactive game-show format.
Mars VR is currently shipping for $39.95. For more information visit VRCamera or email Ran Van Riper
