NASA Orders Eleven Nikon D3S dSLRs
Nikon has proudly announced that the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (aka NASA) has placed an order for eleven D3S dSLR units, along with seven AF-S NIKKOR 14-24mm f/2.8G ED lenses. Nikon explained that these imaging devices are to be used for photographic documentation.
The D3S cameras and NIKKOR lenses will be launched up into space riding on the Space Shuttle, until they arrive at the International Space Station (aka ISS) to be used for various photograph activities. Nikon notes that NASA will make no special modifications to the cameras or lenses. These new bodies and lenses will be used right along side the existing Nikon dSLR cameras and accessories that already reside on the ISS, which include their D2Xs digital SLR, and several Nikon speedlights.
Nikon has a long history with NASA, including:
- 1971: Nikon Photomic FTN (NASA specifications) was used on Apollo 15
- 1980: The "Small Camera", based on the Nikon F3 and equipped with a motor drive, and the F3 "Big Camera", which utilized long film, were delivered to NASA. The "Small Camera" was used aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia launched the following year.
- 1991: The Nikon F4 and F4S were delivered to NASA
- 1999: The Nikon F5 and AF Nikkor lens were carried aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery to photograph extravehicular activities (EVA)
- 2008: D2XS digital SLR cameras were delivered to NASA. Six D2XS cameras are used in space to document activities such as inspection and maintenance
- In addition, approximately about 15 types of NIKKOR lenses (more than 35 lenses all together) are kept aboard the International Space Station for intravehicular and extravehicular photography to provide continued support for NASA's space activities
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