The upcoming Artemis II mission is making waves as it plans to take four astronauts further from Earth than anyone has gone before. Surprisingly, they will be using Nikon D5 DSLR cameras, not the latest mirrorless models.
Onboard the Orion spacecraft, astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen will capture stunning images with these 10-year-old cameras as they fly near the Moon. Recently, a video from NASA’s Facebook showed Wiseman demonstrating their “old-school” D5, sparking interest among followers.
It’s fascinating that NASA chose the Nikon D5, which was released in 2016. While the more advanced Nikon Z9 is available on the International Space Station, NASA has confirmed that future Artemis missions will include newer camera technology. For now, the D5 is seen as reliable for this mission, equipped with flight-qualified systems and both wide-angle and telephoto lenses to document life in space.
According to Charles Boyer, a tech expert, the D5’s performance is well-suited for space. Its ability to capture high-quality photos despite harsh lighting contrasts makes it ideal for the missions ahead. Radation resistance is another key feature, ensuring it will work reliably beyond low Earth orbit. However, it’s worth noting the D5’s ISO capabilities, which could prove crucial for capturing images in the dark expanse of space.
Interestingly, the D5 can go up to an impressive 3,280,000 in ISO, compared to the Z9’s 102,400. This may give the D5 an edge in low-light conditions, helping the crew get the best shots during their journey.
But that’s not all. The astronauts are also allowed to bring personal smartphones and will have GoPros provided by Disney for a National Geographic documentary. This mix of technology should provide a wide array of visuals from their historic mission.
Among the crew, Christina Koch stands out as an experienced space photographer. During her previous 328-day mission, she captured stunning images of Earth, which she frequently shares on Instagram. Her photographic skills could add a special touch to the images taken during Artemis II.
As excitement builds for the launch, there are some setbacks. The rocket meant to take them on this journey needs repairs due to a helium system issue, delaying the mission, which was scheduled for March 6, until at least April.
This mission marks a significant step in space exploration, showing that even older technology can still play a vital role in new adventures. With Koch’s expertise, an array of cameras, and the thrill of going beyond the Moon, Artemis II promises to be a historic event.
For more information about the Artemis missions, check out NASA’s official website. They provide up-to-date reports and insights on the future of space exploration.
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