Witnessing a total solar eclipse in person is a rare opportunity — but thanks to PSSI Global Services’ satellite transmission expertise, viewers around the globe were able to watch live footage of the recent total solar eclipse visible from the Federated States of Micronesia.
Collaborating with the Exploratorium in San Francisco, National Science Foundation and NASA, PSSI’s expert engineers traveled to Woleai Atoll, Micronesia, where they used a 1.8-meter portable satellite flyaway to transmit the eclipse programming and live footage back to the U.S. for national and international distribution via standard television programming, press coverage and social media.
Reaching the remote Woleai Atoll islands to ensure a seamless transmission was no small feat, however. Before the PSSI team could depart, the size and weight of all of their gear had to be precisely calculated for transport, and the crew themselves had to obtain medical clearance and receive multiple shots. Once everything was prepared, it took four planes and a three-day boat ride for the crew and their gear — including generators, fuel, food, and transmission and production essentials — to reach the destination, where the team lived on a boat throughout the duration of the project.
Despite the obstacles, PSSI’s production and transmission team rose to every challenge. The eclipse coverage went off without a hitch, and the PSSI crew had a fantastic time participating in such an extraordinary project.
Here are just a few pictures from the adventure:
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