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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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