James Cameron has seen his plans to send a 3D camera to Mars cancelled by NASA.
The Avatar director had been working with San Diego's Malin Space Science Systems to build a 3D mast camera for Mars rover Curiosity.
However, Mars Today reports that the project has been scrapped, as the technology could not be perfected and thoroughly tested in time.
Mars Science Laboratory Project scientist John Grotzinger explained: "Malin Space Science Systems has provided excellent, unprecedented science cameras for this mission... but time became too short for the levels of testing that would be needed for them to confidently replace the existing cameras.
"We applaud Malin Space Science Systems for their tremendous effort to deliver the zooms, and also the Mars Science Laboratory Project's investment in supporting this effort."
In a subsequent statement, Cameron predicted: "While Curiosity won't benefit from the 3D motion imaging that the zooms enable, I'm certain that this technology will play an important role in future missions.
"In the meantime, we're certainly going to make the most of our cameras that are working so well on Curiosity right now."
The project was given the go-ahead, despite budget concerns, after Cameron personally lobbied the merits of the cameras to NASA administrator Charles Bolden in January 2010.
Cameron announced last September his intention to explore the Amazon rainforest and shoot a 3D documentary on the indigenous Xikrin-Kayapo tribe
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