"Space Junk 3D" Launches in Theaters as Russian Satellite Plummets to Earth

New film hopes to raise awareness of orbital debris issue to ensure future of space exploration and satellite communications.

News provided by

Melrae Pictures

Jan 04, 2012, 08:00 ET

MINNEAPOLIS, Jan. 4, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Just as the crippled Russian satellite, Phobos-Grunt, threatens to fall from our sky, the film "Space Junk 3D" will open in IMAX® and other giant screen theaters in both 2D and 3D, beginning January 13th. The movie is the first to explore the exponentially expanding ring of manmade debris that threatens the safety of our planet's orbits.

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"After half a century of space exploration we're now suddenly faced with what has long been a staple of science fiction—an orbiting junkyard of cast-off space debris," explains Academy Award® Nominee Tom Wilkinson, who narrates the film.

Harnessing the magical imagery of 3D Giant Screen, Full Dome and Digital Cinema. Director Melissa Butts takes us soaring in "Space Junk 3D"—from the stunning depths of Meteor Crater to an unprecedented view of our increasingly crowded orbits, 22,000 miles above earth.

View the trailer and check theater locations: http://www.spacejunk3d.com

On-screen, Don Kessler, (ret.) Head of NASA's Orbital Debris Office and the "Father of Space Junk," reaches back to the beginning of our solar system for understanding and guides us through the challenges we face in protecting our orbits for the future.

"It isn't a coincidence that media headlines of falling debris are growing just as we launch this film," explains Kessler. "As we started researching this story we found that most scientists agree we've reached this tipping point where orbital debris will continue to grow exponentially if we don't address the problem."

At risk is the future of space exploration and the safety of the extensive satellite network that powers our modern day communication systems. This visually explosive journey of discovery weighs the solutions aimed at restoring Earth's orbits. Fueling this story are stunning time lapse sequences and dynamic images that transport the viewer by wrapping us in star fields and allowing us to witness massive collisions in space—both natural and man-made.

"We set out to tell this story with scientific accuracy utilizing mind-blowing immersive space visualizations," explains Butts. To accomplish this her team worked with the National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA) to create breathtaking, state-of-the-art, 3D visualizations from scientific data.

Butts also consulted with NASA's Orbital Debris Program on content for the film, which will be shown in science centers around the world.

The film will have its Washington D.C. debut at the Environmental Film Festival in the Nation's Capital, where it will be screened in the Smithsonian Institute's National Museum for Natural History, this coming March.

View the Behind the Scenes Mini Doc: http://www.spacejunk3d.com/makingvideo.html

"Space Junk 3D" is presented by Melrae Pictures, in association with Red Barn Productions. Produced by Melissa Butts and Kimberly Rowe. Written by Shane Colton and Michael Benson. Lead Visual Effects by Luke Ployhar. Original music by Tom Hambleton, CAS. Director of Photography: Reed Smoot, ASC. Distributed globally by K2 Communications, the 38-minute film is available in both 3D and 2D, for Giant Screen and Digital Theaters.