Global Immersion broadcast the launch of NASA’s newest mission, the Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph (IRIS) to a VIP audience of US Government representatives and technology experts, live at the NASA Ames Visitor Centre, California on 27 June 2013.

The mission, which aims to provide more information about the sun, was launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California and was broadcast by the international digital theatre specialist at its NASA Ames Visitor Centre digital theatre.

Global Immersion designed and integrated the digital reality centre at the NASA Ames Research Centre in California. The theatre features a 14ft (4.2m) high, 36ft (11m) wide spherical screen and high resolution multi-channel display. It is used to take visiting members of the public on a journey through Mars missions, simulated flights through the universe and science lectures.

Two hundred and fifty miles away, the launch itself took place at the Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. IRIS took flight using a Pegasus XL rocket, carried by an Orbital Sciences L-1011 aircraft.