Electronic Data Systems (EDS) Technology for the "Return to Titanic" Enables Millions to Explore Nearly 2 1/2 Miles Under the Atlantic - In Real Time For more than 15 years, EDS has served as lead technology partner for a variety of programs that enable students and scientists to participate in the extraordinary expeditions led by oceanographer and Titanic discoverer Dr. Robert Ballard. EDS partners again with Dr. Ballard in moving the definition of "museum" to a new dimension - from 12,500 feet below sea level to viewing sites at aquariums, zoos and museums across the United States.
"EDS technology is integral to these expeditions. When I wanted to create a complex telecommunications program, we turned to the experts at EDS. Through the use of leading-edge communications solutions, EDS is allowing us to bring our mission to the world real -time and helping to revolutionize the way science is taught. That's good news for teachers, students, scientists - and the global community as a whole." Dr. Robert Ballard, explorer and scientist Deep sea diving via EDS technology
Technology services leader EDS is providing the far-reaching communications capability required by the "Return to Titanic" expedition, slated for departure on May 30. The technology solution for this expedition is a continuing evolution of the satellite communications systems EDS developed for Dr. Ballard's Black Sea expedition in July 2003. But this time, the technology dives even deeper. EDS designed a mobile communications network for the expedition. By creating a portable "mission control" center, EDS combines the power of high-definition video, voice and data to help Ballard give millions of people instant access to this historic expedition.
Communications on a Titanic scale
The 2004 "Return to Titanic" expedition is another joint effort by Dr. Ballard and EDS to mainstream "telepresence" as a real-time research tool. Not only is the technology a boon to oceanographers, but it could be valuable to a wide range of industries, such as energy and mining. How EDS technology works for Return to Titanic 1. Video signals originate from the Titanic, 12,500 feet deep. Video images are generated by cameras aboard the Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration's remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) and on the NOAA's research vessel Ronald H. Brown. A production crew aboard the vessel produces live and taped programming for daily "immersion shows" and for a National Geographic Channel special airing June 7. The video signal is then delivered to the mobile satellite communications center, designed and integrated by EDS, where it is digitally encoded and "encapsulated" into Internet Protocol (IP) packets.
