Nikon NASA F4

==Technology==

==Technology==

[[File:Nikon Nasa F4 back.jpg|thumb|200px|right|Nikon NASA F4 back view with DA-20 action finder and Electronics Box.]]

[[File:Nikon Nasa F4 back.jpg|thumb|200px|right|Nikon NASA F4 back view with DA-20 action finder and Electronics Box.]]

The camera was based on a modified [[Nikon F4|F4]] with standard F-mount and had a [[digital camera back]] with a monochrome [[Charge-coupled device|CCD]] [[image sensor]] with 1024 x 1024 [[pixel]]s on an area of 15 x 15mm developed by [[Ford Aerospace]]: type FA1024L.<ref name=nasaf4/><ref name=chap/> [[Film speed#Digital camera ISO speed and exposure index|ISO]] 200 was the only light sensitivity, without infrared filter ISO 400.<ref name=onev/><ref name=chap>[https://www.timmchapman.com/gallery/nasa-nikon-f4-electronic-still-camera NASA Nikon F4 Electronic Still Camera] Timm Chapman Photography: NASA Nikon Space Camera Profiles</ref> Removable [[Integrated Drive Electronics|IDE]] hard-disks were used for digital storage of 40 images each with 8 bits per pixel (256 gray levels). The camera's [[imaging sensor interface]] was based on an [[Altera]] Stand Alone [[Microsequencer]] and employed a 1 image [[Static random-access memory|SRAM]] storage buffer. The removable hard drive, [[RS-232]] interface, LCD display, [[Ku-Band]] [[downlink]] interface and remaining camera control were accomplished with a Wildcard 88 ([[Intel]] [[80C88]] 8&nbsp;MHz [[CPU]]) [[single-board computer]]. Images were transmitted to the ground via the Orbiter Ku-Band digital downlink at a rate of 2&nbsp;Mbit/s.<ref name=press >{{cite web|url=http://science.ksc.nasa.gov/shuttle/missions/sts-48/sts-48-press-kit.txt |title=SPACE SHUTTLE MISSION STS-48 PRESS KIT SEPTEMBER 1991 |access-date=21 March 2012}}</ref> Within 1 hour the images were processed at Johnson Space Center's [[Pixar Image Computer]] and laser printed.<ref name=onev >[http://www.onevisionphoto.com/nasaF4ESC.htm NASA Nikon F4 Electronic Still Camera]</ref>

The camera was based on a modified [[Nikon F4|F4]] with standard F-mount and had a [[digital camera back]] with a monochrome [[Charge-coupled device|CCD]] [[image sensor]] with 1024 x 1024 [[pixel]]s on an area of 15 x 15mm developed by [[Ford Aerospace]]: type FA1024L.<ref name=nasaf4/><ref name=chap/> [[Film speed#Digital camera ISO speed and exposure index|ISO]] 200 was the only light sensitivity, without infrared filter ISO 400.<ref name=onev/><ref name=chap>[https://www.timmchapman.com/gallery/nasa-nikon-f4-electronic-still-camera NASA Nikon F4 Electronic Still Camera] Timm Chapman Photography: NASA Nikon Space Camera Profiles</ref> Removable [[Integrated Drive Electronics|IDE]] hard-disks were used for digital storage of 40 images each with 8 bits per pixel (256 gray levels). The camera's [[imaging sensor interface]] was based on an [[Altera]] Stand Alone [[Microsequencer]] and employed a 1 image [[Static random-access memory|SRAM]] storage buffer. The removable hard drive, [[RS-232]] interface, LCD display, [[Ku-Band]] [[downlink]] interface and remaining camera control were accomplished with a Wildcard 88 ([[Intel]] [[80C88]] 8&nbsp;MHz [[CPU]]) [[single-board computer]]. Images were transmitted to the ground via the Orbiter Ku-Band digital downlink at a rate of 2&nbsp;Mbit/s.<ref name=press >{{cite web|url=http://science.ksc.nasa.gov/shuttle/missions/sts-48/sts-48-press-kit.txt |title=SPACE SHUTTLE MISSION STS-48 PRESS KIT SEPTEMBER 1991 |access-date=21 March 2012}}</ref> Within 1 hour the images were processed at Johnson Space Center's [[Pixar Image Computer]] and laser printed with a 3M Color Laser Imager,.<ref name=onev >[http://www.onevisionphoto.com/nasaF4ESC.htm NASA Nikon F4 Electronic Still Camera]</ref><ref name=chap/>

Three copies of the NASA Electronic Still Camera were produced. The original development team included NASA Civil Servant electronic and mechanical design and fabrication, [[Lockheed Corporation|Lockheed]] development of the Electronic Still Camera ground station, [[Nikon]] Engineering supplying in total 14 modified Nikon F4 camera bodies also for prototypes, and Ford Aerospace and [[JPL]] development of the CCD image sensor.<ref name=onev/>

Three copies of the NASA Electronic Still Camera were produced. The original development team included NASA Civil Servant electronic and mechanical design and fabrication, [[Lockheed Corporation|Lockheed]] development of the Electronic Still Camera ground station, [[Nikon]] Engineering supplying in total 14 modified Nikon F4 camera bodies also for prototypes, and Ford Aerospace and [[JPL]] development of the CCD image sensor.<ref name=onev/>