A new startup called Urthecast is in the process of putting together HD cameras to be fitted to the International Space Station, so that people can watch real-time video of the planet from space. Which is at once really cool, and sort of pointless. The footage is looking impressive, though – take a look.

I mean let’s be fair, this would beat the hell out of stalking an ex on Facebook. This way you could stalk the ENTIRE PLANET.

Says Urthecast (pronounced ‘Earthcast’) co-founder Scott Larson, the system should be up and running early next year – they just have to finish building the cameras, ship them to Russia, then launch ’em into space. After which point people can stare at the earth in real time from space, which I’m pretty sure is what the technology was intended for.

What is sort of neat is that you’ll be able to input your coordinates on the Urthecast website and find out when next the ISS will be orbiting above your location – at which point you can log in and try to see your house from space.

Mildly terrifying but cool.

[Source: Urthecast]