Dr Buzz Aldrin is one of the most recognisable names in the history of space flight, being part of the historic 1969 Apollo 11 moon mission. He is also a strong advocate for establishing human colonies on Mars. Buzz Aldrin: Cycling Pathways to Mars shows some of Dr Aldrin’s vision for the future of space travel.
The virtual reality (VR) experience of Buzz Aldrin: Cycling Pathways to Mars takes users into space and towards the red planet. Though the surface of Mars is desolate, and its atmosphere somewhat hostile to human life, Dr Aldrin has a plan for how Mars can be transformed to allow for a human colony.
The experience users room-scale VR to depict Mars in an absorbing and education way as Dr Aldrin details his plan for how humans could reach Mars, and ultimately make a home for themselves there.
Developers LIFE VR and 8i used motion capture and image capture in order to preserve the appearance of Buzz Aldrin, so his hologram can be preserved to provide information to future generations. Dr Aldrin is firm in his belief that though the space missions of the 60s and 70s were historic and important moments, further progress needs to be made.
“While the moon landing was a monumental achievement for humanity, there’s no greater mission than mankind’s journey to Mars,” said Buzz Aldrin, “I have a plan for creating a human settlement on Mars, and thanks to virtual reality and holographic technology from 8i, we now have an exciting new way to communicate this plan with the world and to leave my legacy behind for future generations of aspiring space travellers.”
Buzz Aldrin: Cycling Pathways to Mars is available for free for the Oculus Rift, available from the Oculus Store. The below trailer provides some further information on what users can expect from the VR experience.
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