Astronaut, a keen photographer, kick-starts NASA's partnership with Hasselblad
In the early days of human spaceflight, a remarkable partnership was forged between NASA and the Swedish camera manufacturer, Hasselblad. This partnership began with a suggestion by astronaut Wally Schirra, who brought his personal Hasselblad 500C medium format camera on the Mercury mission in 1962, marking the beginning of Hasselblad cameras becoming a fixture on every Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo mission, including the historic Apollo 11 moon landing in 1969.
Standard Hasselblad models were not designed for space, and so NASA and Hasselblad engineers collaborated to modify the cameras to withstand the harsh conditions of space travel. Key customizations included weight reduction, larger camera dials and buttons for bulky gloves, advanced optics and coatings for radiation resistance and optical clarity, and modified film magazines to protect them from extreme temperatures and space radiation. The film advance mechanism was also adapted to function effectively in zero-gravity environments.
The Hasselblad cameras proved instrumental in capturing some of the most detailed and iconic images of space exploration. They were mounted on astronauts' suits during moonwalks to document surface activities with still and video photography. The cameras' design, known for precision and clarity, lent itself well to capturing the monumental moments of the Apollo missions.
This legacy continues with newer developments inspired by the Apollo-era Hasselblads. For instance, the Handheld UltraLight Cameras (HULCs) developed for NASA’s Artemis III mission, scheduled for lunar surface exploration in the mid-2020s, build upon the design and success of the original Hasselblads, incorporating modern features such as real-time video streaming and enhanced calibration for scientific use in lunar conditions.
Hasselblad cameras have become more than just a top-tier camera manufacturer; they have become a cornerstone in documenting human exploration beyond our planet and have played a significant role in shaping how we see space. From the vibrant and detailed pictures of the early space missions to the historic images of the moon landing, Hasselblad cameras have been instrumental in capturing the spirit of exploration and the beauty of the cosmos.
Today, the legacy of Hasselblad in space continues to inspire, as we look forward to the next chapter in human space exploration. With the Artemis III mission on the horizon, we can only imagine the incredible images that will be captured by the modern descendants of the iconic Hasselblad cameras that first ventured into the unknown.
[1] NASA.gov, "Hasselblad Cameras in Space," Accessed March 2023. [2] Space.com, "Hasselblad Cameras: A History of Space Photography," Accessed March 2023. [3] Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, "Hasselblad Cameras: A Legacy in Space," Accessed March 2023. [4] Digital Camera World, "The Artemis III Mission and Hasselblad Cameras," Accessed March 2023. [5] The Verge, "NASA's Artemis III Lunar Cameras: A New Era of Space Photography," Accessed March 2023.
- The remarkable partnership between NASA and Hasselblad led to modifying standard Hasselblad cameras to withstand space travel, featuring weight reduction, larger camera dials, radiation-resistant optics, and other customizations.
- During moonwalks, astronauts used Hasselblad cameras to document surface activities, capturing iconic images with still and video photography.
- TheHandheld UltraLight Cameras (HULCs) developed for NASA’s Artemis III mission adopt the design and success of the original Hasselblads, incorporating modern features such as real-time video streaming and enhanced calibration for scientific use in lunar conditions.
- The history of Hasselblad cameras in space has seen them capture the vibrant and detailed pictures of the early space missions, the historic images of the moon landing, and have become a cornerstone in documenting human exploration beyond our planet.
- With the Artemis III mission approaching, there is excitement about the incredible images that will be captured by the modern descendants of the iconic Hasselblad cameras that first ventured into the unknown.
- In photography news, the Artemis III mission's use of Hasselblad cameras signifies a new era of space photography, as they build upon the design and success of the Apollo-era Hasselblads.
- The legacy of Hasselblad cameras in space continues to inspire gadget enthusiasts and technology lovers, as we look forward to the next chapter in human space exploration.
- For those interested in photography gear and Astrophotography techniques, the Artemis III mission provides an opportunity to witness the newest developments in space photography and how they are shaping our perception of space.
- In addition to the Artemis III mission, Hasselblad cameras have been used in various fields of competition and scientific research, further solidifying their position as a leading camera manufacturer, leveraging technology and precision for a wide range of needs.
