NASA and Nikon collaborate to create innovative camera for documenting Moon’s South Pole during Artemis mission

NASA and Nikon have partnered to create a unique camera for the Artemis mission, which will explore the lunar surface. The collaboration, detailed in a Space Act Agreement, seeks to provide astronauts with a durable handheld camera that can withstand the challenging conditions of the Moon’s South Pole. This camera will be essential for capturing the scientific research and exploration activities that will take place during the mission.

Called the Handheld Universal Lunar Camera (HULC), the camera is a modified version of Nikon’s Z 9 camera, tailored to meet the unique requirements of lunar photography. With Nikkor lenses and a NASA thermal blanket to protect against extreme temperatures and lunar dust, the HULC features a custom handle with buttons designed by NASA engineers for ease of use by astronauts wearing bulky spacesuits.

This collaboration is a significant milestone, as the HULC is the first mirrorless hand-held camera to be used on the Moon and sets a new standard for lunar imaging technology. To ensure optimal performance, the camera undergoes rigorous tests, including heat, vacuum and radiation tests that simulate space-like conditions.

Before deployment to the lunar surface, the HULC will be tested on the International Space Station to demonstrate its capabilities in low light. Additionally, NASA crew members have already begun using the camera during simulated moonwalks in Arizona and Spain, providing valuable insights for further refinement.

The development of HULC represents a continuation of NASA’s legacy of space photography dating back to the Apollo missions. Unlike the large-format cameras used in the Apollo era, the HULC offers advanced features such as a viewfinder and video capabilities that allow astronauts to capture both still images and video with a single device.

As NASA prepares for the Artemis mission, which will include the first woman, first person of color and international astronauts to land on the Moon, the HULC camera will play a critical role in documenting this historic journey. Ultimately, this collaboration between NASA and Nikon underscores a commitment to advancing scientific discovery and exploration beyond Earth orbit, paving the way for future human exploration of Mars.