When humans finally return to the moon as part of NASA’s Artemis mission, they’ll arrive with a ton of high-tech equipment to capture new and awe-inspiring views of Earth’s satellite. . But cameras have come a long way since the Apollo missions. In 2023, some incredibly advanced options are already ready for launch.
According to recent updates, european space agency, engineers working with NASA are perfecting the Handheld Universal Lunar Camera (HULC) with real-world tests on the rocky moon-like landscape of Lanzarote, Spain. The underlying technology of HULC is derived from commercially available professional cameras with high light sensitivity and state-of-the-art lenses, yet durable enough for a trip to the moon. To harden the lunar recording equipment, researchers are building a new system durable enough to protect it from ultra-fine lunar dust and the moon’s extreme temperature fluctuations, which range from -208 degrees Fahrenheit to 250 degrees Fahrenheit. I had to add a blanket casing. At the same time, the designers also created a series of ergonomic buttons that are compatible with the thick gloves of astronauts’ spacesuits, so that the cover does not interfere with use.
[Related: Check out this Prada-designed Artemis III spacesuits.]
So far, HULC has taken snapshots in near-black volcanic caves and in broad daylight to recreate the vast illumination potential of the lunar surface. According to ESA, HULC will also be the first mirrorless handheld camera to be used in space, and such design will reportedly provide high-quality images even in low-light environments.
Despite numerous changes and adjustments, HULC is still not ready for the Artemis III mission, currently scheduled for 2025. At least one version of the camera will soon head to the International Space Station for additional tests, according to an ESA report.
“We will continue to improve the camera in preparation for the Artemis III moon landing,” said Jeremy Myers, NASA’s HULC camera project director. told ESA “We are confident that in the end we will have the best product, a camera that can take photos of the Moon for humanity and that will be used by crews from many countries for many years to come.”
The photos of Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong striding across the moon during the Apollo 11 moonwalk became an instantly iconic photo in 1969, but they were only a preview of many more to come. did not. Over the next three years, he recorded the visits of ten more astronauts to the moon using a series of video and photo cameras. When humanity eventually returns as part of the Artemis program, HULC will accompany it to capture new and awe-inspiring views of Earth’s satellites.