NASA Desert RATS (Desert Research and Technology Studies) team
While NASA neither explicitly nor implicitly endorses Veracity's products nor Axis' products, NASA has chosen to use CAMSWITCH by Veracity as well as the AXIS 207 Network Camera in the Desert RATS Space Suit.
Veracity, the leader in IP connectivity and transmission solutions, has enabled the NASA Desert RATS (Desert Research and Technology Studies) team to power network video cameras located on their researchers' astronaut backpacks whilst on the move.

Comprised of NASA personnel as well as NASA partners, NASA's Desert RATS are a NASA-led team who work together to prepare for human-robotic exploration in space. Each year, the team conducts field test demonstrations of extra-vehicular hardware under representative planetary surface terrain conditions in the Arizona desert.

The RATS activities also help develop the necessary levels of technical skills and experience for the next generation of engineers, scientists, technicians, and astronauts who will be responsible for realising the goals of NASA's Constellation Program.

NASA is using Veracity's CAMSWITCH Quad to supply power to an AXIS 207 network camera. The camera is mounted on backpacks worn by RATS researchers who are wearing working space suits and the camera provides a forward facing view of the scene ahead. The CAMSWITCH QUAD is located within the backpack itself and was chosen by NASA due to size, rugged construction, and the ability to take DC power.

NASA has chosen to use CAMSWITCH by Veracity as well as the AXIS 207 Network Camera in the Desert RATS Space Suit

Veracity's CAMSWITCH QUAD offers a cost-effective, rugged four plus-one-port 100BaseT Ethernet industrial network switch especially designed for networked video applications. Four of the ports offer Power over Ethernet (PoE) for powering network cameras via the CAT5 network cable. The fifth port on the opposite side of the case provides a convenient downstream network link for easy cable management.

Scott Sereboff, CEO of Veracity USA, mentioned that: "CAMSWITCH's versatility made it a winner for the folks at NASA. Whether or not the RATS space suit ever winds up on a shuttle or moon mission, the fact that Veracity's CAMSWITCH is within it is immensely flattering and a testament to the design of the unit and the people who engineered it from drawing to product."

Alastair McLeod, Managing Director, Veracity UK Limited, commented: "CAMSWITCH QUAD is ideal for this application as it can easily be powered by a DC power source and is rugged enough for the most extreme conditions."

Download PDF version Download PDF version

In case you missed it

Anviz Global expands palm vein tech for security
Anviz Global expands palm vein tech for security

The pattern of veins in the hand contains unique information that can be used for identity. Blood flowing through veins in the human body can absorb light waves of specific wavelen...

Bosch sells security unit to Triton for growth
Bosch sells security unit to Triton for growth

Bosch is selling its Building Technologies division’s product business for security and communications technology to the European investment firm Triton. The transaction enc...

In age of misinformation, SWEAR embeds proof of authenticity into video data
In age of misinformation, SWEAR embeds proof of authenticity into video data

The information age is changing. Today, we are at the center of addressing one of the most critical issues in the digital age: the misinformation age. While most awareness of thi...

Quick poll
What is the most significant challenge facing smart building security today?