Nikon Unveils Lunar Camera Advancements at CES 2025
Nikon is making waves at CES 2025 by showcasing the future of lunar photography with its latest innovations. The spotlight is on the Nikon Z9, set to be the next camera to capture the moon's mysteries, as the company demonstrates its strategies to conquer the challenges of space exploration.
The prestigious CES 2025 event in Las Vegas has become the stage for global tech leaders to introduce their newest breakthroughs. Among them, Nikon stands out not only for winning an award for its Nikon Z6 III mirrorless camera but also for unveiling groundbreaking technology that will support NASA's ambitious Artemis lunar mission.
In a significant move, Nikon forged a partnership with NASA in March 2024 to provide cutting-edge imaging equipment for the upcoming Artemis mission, marking a pivotal moment in humanity's journey back to the Moon. With the first crewed lunar landing planned for mid-2027, Nikon is in the process of developing the Handheld Universal Lunar Camera (HULC), a specialised device tailored to capture high-resolution images during the mission's journey and on the lunar surface.
A crucial aspect of this collaboration is the adapted Nikon Z9, a mirrorless camera that has undergone substantial modifications to endure the harsh conditions of space. The Z9 is slated for use during the Artemis III mission, where astronauts will engage in extravehicular activities (EVAs) on the lunar terrain. Nikon took the opportunity at CES 2025 to highlight the camera's enhancements, demonstrating how it has been fine-tuned for space missions.
Among the showcased features is a custom-designed insulating blanket, created in collaboration with NASA engineers, to shield the Nikon Z9 from extreme lunar temperatures, cosmic radiation, and abrasive lunar dust. The camera's ability to withstand these challenges will be crucial for capturing top-notch images in the lunar environment.
Nikon has also re-engineered its Z9 and Z lenses for use during EVAs, where astronauts will navigate moonwalks and spacewalks. To address the difficulty of operating a camera while wearing bulky space gloves, NASA is developing a custom grip for the Z9. This grip will enable astronauts to easily manage the shutter, review images, and switch between stills and video modes. It will connect to the camera via a 10-pin terminal cable and will be complemented by special custom firmware to ensure seamless operation in zero-gravity conditions.
In addition to its lunar-centric innovations, Nikon is using CES 2025 as a platform to showcase a range of cutting-edge technologies, including its advanced Robot Vision System, Riblet Processing technology, In-Vehicle Camera Systems, and its state-of-the-art mirrorless cameras.
Nikon partners with NASA to supply imaging equipment for Artemis mission
Nikon Z9 undergoes modifications to withstand space conditions
Custom grip developed for Z9 to aid astronauts during EVAs
Source: DIGITAL CAMERA WORLD