Nikon NASA F4

Nikon NASA F4 front view with DA-20 action finder, Electronics Box and lenses.

Nikon NASA F4 together with HERCULES measurement and ring laser gyroscope right, its Electronics Box in the center and the laptop mounted atop the HERCULES Playback-Downlink Unit and Attitude Processor left.

Nikon NASA F4 back view with DA-20 action finder and Electronics Box.

The Nikon NASA F4 Electronic Still Camera was one of the first and rarest fully digital cameras ever. Constructed for NASA, it was first flown in September 1991 on board the Space Shuttle Discovery, mission STS-48.^[1][2] Later the cameras were flown on several other Shuttle missions^[3] including STS-44, 45, 42, 49, 53,^[4] 56^[5] and 61.^[6]

Although the camera was often used alone mounted with its Electronics Box, the HERCULES system^[7][8] were build around it: Hand-held Earth-oriented Real-time Cooperative, User-friendly, Location, targeting, and Environmental System. It includes the first laptop in space^[9] mounted atop the Playback-Downlink Unit (PDU), HERCULES Attitude Processor (HAP), Electronic Still Camera (ESC) Electronics Box (ESCEB) including removable imagery data storage disks, NRL HERCULES Inertial Measurement Unit (HIMU) with the three-axis ring laser gyroscope, DA-20 action finder, a night vision image intensifier as well as asorted lenses and cables.

History

Nikon has been a supplier of space (EVA) capable cameras^[10] for the NASA since 1971, when they delivered a modified Nikon F SLR Photomic FTN camera^[11][12] with center-weighted TTL metering system,^[13] which was first used on the Apollo 15 mission.^[14] In 1973, a newer modified version of the Nikon F with a motor drive was delivered for use in Skylab. In 1980^[15] and 1989, Nikon delivered modified, space capable F3^[16] (big and small version) respectively F4 cameras to NASA, which were used in the Space Shuttle.

Nikon gained knowledge on digital cameras by constructing the Nikon Still Video Camera (SVC) Model 1, a prototype which was first presented at Photokina 1986.^[17][18] The follower Nikon QV-1000C Still Video Camera was produced since 1988 mainly for professional press use.^[19] Both cameras used QV mount lenses, a variant of Nikon F-mount lenses. Via an adapter (QM-100) other F-mount lenses can be fitted.

The Nikon NASA F4 was followed by the NASA-used Nikon-based Kodak DCS 460, DCS 660 and DCS 760, Nikon D1, D2X, D2Xs, D3, D3X and the D3S. The Nikon F-mount is the only 35mm SLR or DSLR Lens mount ever used by NASA.^[20]

Technology

The camera was based on an modified F4 with standard F-mount and had a digital camera back with a monochrome CCD image sensor with 1024 x 1024 pixels on an area of 15 x 15mm.^[2] Removable SCSI hard-disks were used for digital storage of 40 images each with 8 bits per pixel. Images were transmitted to the ground via the orbiter digital downlinks.^[1]

See also

• Nikon E3

References

1. ^ ^{a b} SPACE SHUTTLE MISSION STS-48 PRESS KIT SEPTEMBER 1991
2. ^ ^{a b} NASA F4 Electronic Still Camera Nikonweb
3. ^ Space Shuttle Launches NASA
4. ^ SPACE SHUTTLE MISSION STS-53 PRESS KIT
5. ^ SPACE SHUTTLE MISSION STS-56 PRESS KIT
6. ^ SPACE SHUTTLE MISSION STS-61 PRESS KIT
7. ^ HERCULES - a Joint Army-NAVY-NASA experiment on the space Shuttle (1985-1995): Status Mac
8. ^ Sky Camera Maps Targets: HERCULES Popular Mechanics Sep 1993
9. ^ Additional information on the NASA F4 in NHS issue 95. The F4 from flight STS-053. Nikon Historical Society
10. ^ How Does NASA Get a Nikon D2Xs DSLR Ready to Go to Space? Popphoto.com
11. ^ Nikon Photomic FTN Nikon
12. ^ Nikon F - Nikon FTn Meter Finder/Prisms Mir
13. ^ Nikon cameras and NASA TATENO, Yokoyuki, Apphotnum
14. ^ Vol. 12. Special titanium Nikon cameras and NASA cameras Nikon
15. ^ Corporate History Nikon
16. ^ Nikon F3 NASA 250 Mir.com
17. ^ Additional information on Nikon Video Still Camera Model 1 & Nikon QV-1000C Still Video Camera MIR
18. ^ Nikon Still Video Camera (prototype) Nikonweb
19. ^ Nikon QV-1000C? Never heard of it. Nikonweb
20. ^ Cameras Used on the ISS and Shuttle Missions by NASA astronauts to photograph Earth NASA

External links

• Nikon NASA F4 (ESC) Images taken at Mission STS-48 (E) NASA
• Nikon NASA F4 (ESC) Images taken at Mission STS-49 (E) NASA
• HERCULES Earth observation Nikon NASA F4 (ESC) Images taken at Mission STS-56 (E) NASA
• Nikon NASA F4 (ESC) Images taken at Mission STS-61 (E) NASA