Nikon has announced a historic milestone in its partnership with NASA, revealing that the cutting-edge Nikon Z9 mirrorless camera has been dispatched to the International Space Station (ISS) in January. This breakthrough marks the inaugural utilisation of Nikon’s mirrorless technology by the ISS crew, elevating the standard of image capture for NASA’s space exploration endeavours.
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On the 20th Northrop Grumman commercial resupply services mission for NASA, multiple Nikon Z9 bodies, accompanied by an array of NIKKOR Z lenses, embarked on a journey to the orbiting laboratory. The Cygnus cargo spacecraft, propelled by the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, embarked on its mission from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on January 30th, 2024. The deployment of the Nikon Z9 heralds the retirement of the Nikon D6 and D5 digital SLR cameras, which have faithfully served on the space station since 2017.
Nikon’s legacy in space exploration traces back over 50 years, with its cameras and lenses contributing to pivotal missions such as Apollo 15. Since 1999, Nikon equipment has been an integral part of scientific research, maintenance activities, and the immortalisation of celestial vistas aboard the ISS. The deployment of Nikon’s state-of-the-art cameras underscores its enduring commitment to advancing imaging technology for space exploration.
Introduced in 2018, the Nikon Z series has rapidly evolved, boasting continuous innovation, firmware enhancements, and an expanding arsenal of NIKKOR Z lenses. At the pinnacle of the Z series stands the Nikon Z9, renowned for its robust construction, reliability, and cutting-edge features. Notably, the Z9’s revolutionary shutterless design enhances durability, a crucial attribute for withstanding the rigours of space travel.
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While the physical architecture of the Z9 remains unchanged, Nikon collaborated closely with NASA to develop bespoke firmware tailored to the space environment. This customised firmware addresses challenges such as cosmic radiation interference and optimises operational parameters for space missions. Additionally, enhancements to file management and data transfer protocols streamline workflows for astronauts, ensuring efficiency and power conservation.
Accompanying the Nikon Z9 are an assortment of NIKKOR Z lenses, including super-telephoto and micro lenses, equipped to capture the intricate details of celestial phenomena. With 13 Z9 cameras, over 15 NIKKOR Z lenses, and 15 FTZ II adapters dispatched to the ISS, NASA gains access to a comprehensive imaging toolkit for its scientific endeavours.
