VANCOUVER, Oct. 1, 2014 /CNW/ – UrtheCast Corp. (TSX:UR) (“UrtheCast” or the “Company”) is extremely pleased to announce that it has acquired access to the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System (TDRSS) for the purpose of increasing its data downlink capacity and speed. As a robust constellation of communication satellites and ground stations for space communication, it is designed to increase the time spacecraft are in communication with the ground and improve the amount of data that can be transferred. TDRSS will allow UrtheCast to significantly augment both data collection and delivery to its current and future data clients.

The access to TDRSS was acquired through our partner NanoRacks LLC, a commercial provider of hardware and services for the U.S. National Laboratory onboard the International Space Station (“ISS”) pursuant to their Space Act Agreement with NASA.

After implementation, UrtheCast anticipates that it will begin delivery of some of its data via TDRSS late 2014 or early 2015. As opposed to our current network of ground stations that only have limited line of sight to the ISS during each orbit for downlinking, TDRSS is highly available as its constellation is in constant line of sight. This will allow our Medium Resolution Camera and High Resolution Ultra HD Video Camera to utilize the fastest, space-to-ground communications network aboard the ISS.

“This is a remarkably important opportunity for UrtheCast. Being able to harness what is an incredibly powerful communications system which will allow us to provide our customers with incredibly timely data sets,” stated UrtheCast’s President and COO, Wade Larson.

TDRSS Highlights:

• TDRSS has been supported since 1973 and is now in its third generation with additional satellites scheduled for launch in 2016 to continue to improve the system.
• TDRSS’ network of satellites is designed to provide constant communication for data from space-based assets to the network of dedicated ground stations.
• TDRSS’ communications network will be incremental to our existing communications systems already in place to support our current generation of cameras.

“Timeliness of data is a key criteria for end users of Earth Observation images and today’s announcement with Nanoracks is expected to add significantly to Urthecast’s downlink capabilities,” explained UrtheCast’s CEO, Scott Larson.

About UrtheCast Corp.

UrtheCast Corp. is a Vancouver-based technology company that is developing the world’s first Ultra HD video feed of Earth, streamed from space in full color. Working with renowned aerospace partners from across the globe, UrtheCast has built, launched, installed, and will soon operate two cameras on the ISS. Video and still image data captured by the cameras will be downlinked to ground stations across the planet and displayed on the UrtheCast web platform, or distributed directly to partners and customers. UrtheCast’s cameras will provide Ultra HD video and still imagery of Earth that will allow for monitoring of the environment, humanitarian relief, social events, agricultural land, etc. Common shares of UrtheCast trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange as ticker ‘UR’.

For more information visit our website at www.urthecast.com.

Forward-looking Information

This release contains certain information which, as presented, constitutes “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking information involves statements that an action or event “will” be taken or occur (or similar language) and includes statements about UrtheCast’s ability to augment data collection and delivery to current and future customers with TDRSS, UrtheCast’s timing for implementation of TDRSS, UrtheCast’s planned timing for data delivery via TDRSS, UrtheCast’s ability to delivery data with TDRSS from both the Medium Resolution Camera and Hi Resolution Ultra HD Video Camera, the plans to operate camera components on the ISS, proposed image and video product offerings, expected partners and customers to distribute such products and proposed plans and timelines for commissioning of the HRC.

Forward-looking statements are subject to various known and unknown risks, many of which are beyond the ability of UrtheCast to control or predict, and which may cause UrtheCast’s actual results to be materially different from those expressed or implied thereby, including, but not limited to continued commercial relationships among UrtheCast and NanoRacks LLC, compatibility of UrtheCast technology with TDRSS, the Space Act Agreement among NASA and NanoRacks LLC remaining in force, the continued existence and maintenance of TDRSS, the ability to deliver UrtheCast data through TDRSS, further delays in commissioning of the HRC, damage which may have occurred to the cameras during launch or installation, unexpected changes in international government policies as well as those factors discussed in the Company’s annual information form dated March 26, 2014, (the “AIF”) and the Company’s short form base shelf prospectus dated April 7, 2014 (the “Prospectus”) which are available under UrtheCast’s SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com. Forward-looking information is developed based on assumptions about such risks, uncertainties and other factors set out herein, in the AIF and Prospectus, and as otherwise disclosed from time to time on UrtheCast’s SEDAR profile. UrtheCast undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements except as may be required by applicable Canadian securities laws. Readers are cautioned against attributing undue certainty to forward-looking statements.

SOURCE UrtheCast Corp.