Artemis II Astronauts Use Decade-Old DSLR and GoPro

Summary

The Artemis II mission is utilizing older camera technology, including a 2014 GoPro Hero4 Black and a decade-old Nikon D5 DSLR, alongside newer equipment like a mirrorless Z9 and iPhone 17 Pro Max. NASA selected these cameras for their proven durability in space, with specially modified GoPros mounted externally on the Orion spacecraft to withstand re-entry heat. The use of these established cameras highlights that high-quality imagery does not always require the latest models, as they have a history of reliability on previous space missions.

Key points

• Artemis II astronauts are using a 2014 GoPro Hero4 Black and a 10-year-old Nikon D5 DSLR.
• Cameras for space missions must withstand extreme conditions like microgravity, radiation, and temperature swings.
• Four modified GoPros are mounted externally on the Orion spacecraft for visual inspection and imagery.
• The use of older, proven cameras demonstrates that advanced technology is not always necessary for capturing significant images.