Why do you think it is that NASA..

[Markw]

Still uses the Nikon D2x in space and not the new, top-of-the-line gear? Probably a "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" deal?

Mark

[Ads]

[Trever1t]

well it'd be a little expensive to recall and replace

[Derrel]

NASA moves pretty slowly. Not too long ago, Nikon announced that NASA had made YET ANOTHER purchase of their cameras and lenses for use aboard spacecraft. A Nikon has been aboard every manned space flight since the 1960's, along with some Hasselblad gear as well. Over the years, Nikon has made NUMEROUS special lenses, and cameras, for NASA. The relationship goes wayyyyy back.

[480sparky]

Any change, when it comes to spaceflight, means engineering analysis, feasibility studies, thorough testing, meticulous scrutinization, research, etc. etc. etc. All of which costs money. Every nut, bolt, screw, fuel line, tank, gauge, light bulb, seal, plexiglass... everything that goes into space..... has already gone through the exact same procedure. And it's all painstakingly documented.

On top of that, is there enough of a reason why the latest and greatest gear would be needed? Perhaps the D2x already exceeds the need.

Besides, once you create a space suit for the camera, creating one for another camera digs into the wallet.




Bonus trivia quiz: How many Hasselblad bodies & lenses are still on the moon?

[behanana]

My guess is budget cuts...can't afford new gear, I bet they are buying stuff of CL. Although, now they can sell the space shuttles and make a few bucks off those, posibilities...

[480sparky]

My guess is budget cuts...can't afford new gear, I bet they are buying stuff of CL..........

John Glenn bought his own camera to take along on MA-6 (against NASA's orders) when he flew in 1962.

........Although, now they can sell the space shuttles and make a few bucks off those, posibilities...

And you, too, can buy one.

[behanana]

480Sparky, that is freakin awsome, I was worried that it might be slightly out of my price range, but 1.7billion I think is a fair starting place for the negotiations. For the lead, you'll be the first to know if I'm going to space!

Quick thought back to the OP, I bet Nasa could afford a D3S if they sold that. Just a thought.

[480sparky]

480Sparky, that is freakin awsome, I was worried that it might be slightly out of my price range, but 1.7billion I think is a fair starting place for the negotiations. For the lead, you'll be the first to know if I'm going to space!.

Keep in mind, that's just for the Orbiter. Launch Facilities, Flight Services and Landing Fees are extra, as well as taxes, title and licenses.

.....Quick thought back to the OP, I bet Nasa could afford a D3S if they sold that. Just a thought.

To do what with it? Take pix of a launch pad being dismantled?

[nickzou]

I thought they bought a bunch of D3S recently.

[spacefuzz]

yeah its hard getting something qualified for spaceflight. But wouldnt want to launch something and have it break....then its billions wasted.

[Quentin_Moyer]

Bonus trivia quiz: How many Hasselblad bodies & lenses are still on the moon?

I believe it was every single one they brought along?

[Garbz]

To do what with it? Take pix of a launch pad being dismantled?

There's a lot more to taking a camera into space than people realise. The fundamental properties of electronics change in that environment. The cameras that go on space walks for instance would be continuously bombarded with radiation that is quite disruptive to many types of memory circuits. There is zero heat dissipation beyond radiated heat meaning electronics which could comfortably run in a 40degree summer could actually overheat in the -270degree space.

It's not a case of going and buying off the shelf components. It costs a lot more than $5000 to put a top of the line camera body through testing.

[480sparky]

........It's not a case of going and buying off the shelf components. ...........

That's pretty much what they do, though.

[gryphonslair99]

In case you all missed it: Last shuttle flight ends era in space travel - Nation - MiamiHerald.com

No need to buy a new camera to take on vacation, if you ain't taking no more vacations.
NASA is the king of Gear Heads, but they do have a Gear Head Priority List and they USE IT!

Seeing that them there fellers in Huston and Florida aren't planning to put their own vehicle in space again with people aboard until 2025 for a return to the moon, I'm just guessing that they are probably holding out thinking that Nikon might come out with a new body or two between now and then. Shoot, no use jumping the gun too early and being left behind. Why any day now I expect there to be a thread from NASA on the gear board saying something like "We all are planning to send a man to the moon, Yeah I know it's been done, but them fellers in Washington think we need to do it again. We figured we would take photos of rocks and dust, since there ain't nothin on the moon but rocks and dust, and we was wondering, should be get a D5100 body or wait to see if there is a D6100 body sometime soon."

Never know just what might come up that they could add to the thing like a detachable 3" LCD that they could put inside their helmet or even it's own little Hubble Telescope lens.

[Garbz]

........It's not a case of going and buying off the shelf components. ...........

That's pretty much what they do, though.

Read the rest of my post. No Hassleblad or anything else has ever just been store bought and sent into space without further thought.
There is a ****load of vigorous testing that goes into it first. While the end result may be an off the shelf product, they spend far more than the retail price on it before it is approved for use.