TheJakartaPost

Please Update your browser

Your browser is out of date, and may not be compatible with our website. A list of the most popular web browsers can be found below.
Just click on the icons to get to the download page.

Jakarta Post

Astronaut Buzz Aldrin stars in virtual reality film about Mars

News Desk (The Jakarta Post)
Jakarta
Mon, March 20, 2017 Published on Mar. 20, 2017 Published on 2017-03-20T14:12:58+07:00

Change text size

Gift Premium Articles
to Anyone

Share the best of The Jakarta Post with friends, family, or colleagues. As a subscriber, you can gift 3 to 5 articles each month that anyone can read—no subscription needed!
Astronaut Buzz Aldrin stars in virtual reality film about Mars Aldrin told BBC that his idea of the film was to encourage governments to focus on a single plan, instead of multiple private companies attempting to be the first on the Red Planet. (buzzaldrin.com/File)

Astronaut and second man on the Moon, Buzz Aldrin, has utilized virtual reality to publicize his plan on getting humans to Mars.

Titled Cycling Pathways to Mars, the 10-minute film presents the astronaut as a hologram and details his idea of using the moons of Earth and Mars as rest-stops during the six-month journey to Mars.

Aldrin told BBC that his idea of the film was to encourage governments to focus on a single plan, instead of multiple private companies attempting to be the first on the Red Planet.

The former astronaut also believes that the first settlers on Mars will likely have to endure difficult conditions and that they will have to be like the pilgrims that traveled to America on the Mayflower. New arrivals on Mars will need to have the same mind-set as those early settlers, he said.

Read also: China to send unmanned probes to Mars, Jupiter by 2030

"I think we're going to have pioneers, but they're going to be very well prepared, and what troubles me is that they need to be motivated and they have to retain that motivation in a mind that changes. I think that's one of the biggest concerns.”

The film, which was created by virtual reality firm 8i in partnership with Time, was positively received.

Charles Singletary from Upload VR said that "the production quality makes you feel like you're standing in the middle of a high tier sci-fi film, which makes it all the more mind-blowing that Buzz is guiding you through something that could realistically be implemented."

"The hologram was very crisp and was presented as a projection in the virtual space, a small detail that keeps the immersion intact," he added. (sul/kes)

Your Opinion Matters

Share your experiences, suggestions, and any issues you've encountered on The Jakarta Post. We're here to listen.

Enter at least 30 characters
0 / 30

Thank You

Thank you for sharing your thoughts. We appreciate your feedback.

Share options

Quickly share this news with your network—keep everyone informed with just a single click!

Change text size options

Customize your reading experience by adjusting the text size to small, medium, or large—find what’s most comfortable for you.

Gift Premium Articles
to Anyone

Share the best of The Jakarta Post with friends, family, or colleagues. As a subscriber, you can gift 3 to 5 articles each month that anyone can read—no subscription needed!

Continue in the app

Get the best experience—faster access, exclusive features, and a seamless way to stay updated.