SAN JOSE, CA -- July 2, 1997 -- Cisco Systems, Inc. is providing the National Aeronauticsand Space Administration (NASA) with a state-of-the-art network to broadcast images of Mars toan Independence Day celebration known as Planetfest `97. This event is sponsored by thePlanetary Society, a nonprofit, nongovernmental organization that encourages exploration of thesolar system. The images will be available to Planetfest attendees from July 4-6, 1997, at thePasadena Convention Center in California and via the Internet.
The broadcast feeds begin on July 4, 1997, with the landing of the Mars Pathfinder. Over theholiday weekend, viewers will continue to witness ongoing exploration of Mars. The images willbe beamed from both the Mars Pathfinder and a mobile probe, the Soujourner microrover, from 35million miles away to the NASA Jet Propulsion Labs in Pasadena, CA. Then, the images will betransmitted via a Cisco data communications network to a 25-foot screen at Planetfest '97 atthe Pasadena Convention Center.
Cisco's network solution will also enable Internet users to attend other Planetfest '97 events. Via live video, the Planetary Society will broadcast the latest news about the Mars Pathfinderas well as several workshops and presentations by men and women who help make space explorationhappen.
The Cisco network is comprised of Cisco 7200 series routers with Asynchronous Transfer Mode(ATM) Port Adapter Modules (PAMs) and several Catalyst 1900. switches. Together, the Cisco7200 routers and the PAMs provide a highly reliable and easily managed solution that isrequired for this live broadcast. The Catalyst 1900 is a cost-effective, high-performanceEthernet switch that provides 100BaseT connectivity to the different Planetfest workgroups.
"Cisco is proud to support our customer, NASA, and the Planetary Society in this exciting eventthat promotes space exploration," said Andy Miller, regional manager-civilian for FederalOperations for Cisco Systems.
For more information on Planetfest `97 or to view the live broadcast from Mars, visit thePlanetary Society's Web site at http://planetary.org.
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