European Space Agency Will Launch a Gigapixel Camera Into Orbit

Cameras have always played a big part in space exploration. They can help us share information and identify particular phenomena, and where would we be without iconic photos like "Earthrise."

Cameras will be called upon to help once again in 2013 when the European Space Agency launches the Gaia spacecraft which will carry with it a gigapixel camera - that's 1,000 megapixels for those that don't want to do the math.

Gaia is constructed of 106 different CCD sensors that make up a camera over three feet wide. Interestingly, only 102 of those CCDs will be capturing the image. The remaining four are used to monitor the angle between the CCD array and the two telescopes present on Gaia.

You can find out more about Gaia from the European Space Agency.