In January of 2017, Blackbird Interactive Inc. was contacted by Dr. Jeff Norris of NASAs Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) and asked to collaborate on a project. The proposal was to create an interactive art demo showcasing what a base on mars could look like, with the hopes of inspiring new generations to dream of human settlement beyond planet Earth and support the exploration and colonization of our solar system. When you are a company of self proclaimed space nerds this is simply an offer you cant refuse.
Project Eagle is an interactive model of a Mars colony in Gale Crater at the base of Mount Sharp, near the original landing site of the Mars Curiosity Rover. It was created using terrain data from the HiRise camera aboard the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, and designed with input from NASA scientists about the technological and material constraints and possibilities for building human habitation on the red planet. Project Eagle is set in 2117, 44 Martian years (82.8 Earth years) after first human mission to Mars.
The project follows in the footsteps of Chesley Bonestell and Wernher von Braun, in trying to use art to bring science and space exploration into the hearts and minds of the public, and to show that dreams of colonizing other planets are possible within the next few decades rather than the next few centuries.
The interactive demonstration will be presented live on stage by JPLs Dr. Jeff Norris, at the 2017 D.I.C.E. Summit on Wednesday, February 22nd, 2017. Jeff will be joined on stage by BBI CEO Rob Cunningham and CCO Aaron Kambeitz.
