Photo credit: NASA | Bill Stafford
NASA astronauts used one 70mm Hasselblad camera with interchangeable 80mm and 250mm lenses during Apollo 17, and now, Nikon is set to develop a next-generation Lunar Artemis Camera for future Moon missions. Before signing the Space Pact Agreement, NASA performed initial utilizing a standard Nikon Z 9 to determine the specifications a camera would need to operate on the lunar surface.
The current prototype consists of a modified Nikon Z 9 camera and Nikkor lenses, while NASA’s thermal blanket protects the camera from dust as well as extreme temperatures. A custom grip with modified buttons developed by NASA engineers make it easier for suited crew members to handle when wearing thick gloves during a moonwalk. The final camera will incorporate the latest imagery technology and have modified electrical components to minimize issues caused by radiation, thus ensuring the camera operates as intended on the Moon.
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During the Apollo program, crewmembers took over 18,000 photos using modified large-format, handheld cameras. However, those cameras didn’t have viewfinders, so astronauts were trained to aim the camera from chest-level where it attached to the front of the spacesuit. In addition, Apollo crewmembers had to use separate cameras for photos and video. The new lunar camera will have a viewfinder and video capabilities to capture both still imagery and video on a single device,” said NASA Communications.
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