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NASA Cameras
The National Aeronautical and Space Administration has used many cameras in
the exploration of space. Both film and non-film cameras are affected by
their environment and NASA has, therefore, preadjusted them for the environ-
mental condition which they will experience on the actual mission. Tests
under simulated environments to prove the correctness of the adjustments
have then followed. The long focal length reconnaissance cameras, for in-
stance, are very sensitive to temperature changes, degrading the imace quality
as the focus shifts. The most stable conditions of the environment of the
photographic compartment of space craft have to be furnished in order that
optium image quality may be assured.
Following centuries of telescopic observation from earth's platform, vidicon
cameras were able to utilize satellite platforms for a closer look at the
moon, and subsequently other planets. As experience assured the return of
satellites, men and cameras with film became satellite tenants and as a
result a higher quality of information and more accurate geometric positions
for targets was obtained.
Design theory and tests first established the limits of the environment
of the photographic compartment of the space craft, pressure and temperature
being fundamental. The camera was then developed to work within these en-
vironmental confines, or if this was not feasible, a compatible environment
was provided. The cameras would then be tested in a simulated environment
to determine what degradation (if any) occurred.
The Fairchild mapping and stellar camera, two independent optical systems held
in a fixed configuration to each other, were calibrated under fixed pres-
sures and temperatures to determine their interior elements (principal dis-
tance, distortion, etc) and also the fixed angles between the mapping and
stellar systems. They were then pre-set fer the space confines in which
they would acouire photography.
Itek developed several camera systems for NASA from the short focal length
multispectral cameras to the long focal length optical bar. Again careful
plans considered the effects of the environment and designs were modified
to assure good image quality.
These cameras performed many remote sensing studies; lunar mapping and geologic
studies, earth resource, geologic mapping, Martian geologic surveys. They
are being used to determine world agricultural food problems and providing
pollutièn data to our Environmental Protection Agency. The multispectral
cameras have been used extensively to provide new sources of information
using both their simple and complex arrangements.
NASA engineers are very conversant with the effects of environments on cameras.
Bernard H Molberg of NASA Experiment Systems Division discussed the specifi-
cations and provisions for testing the complex camera systems carried as pay-
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