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The first live television broadcasts from space were made with a black-and-white RCA television camera like this one. The first three Apollo missions used similar cameras. Apollo 10 and the lunar landing missions used color cameras, though this camera served as a backup to the camera used on Apollo 10.

Some astronauts objected to adding photography to their busy schedules, but their broadcasts drew millions of viewers and exposed the world to life in space-live on their home TVs. The cameras had lenses for different applications, including a telephoto lens to capture images of Earth from space.

NASA transferred this camera to the Museum in 1972.

 Display Status

This object is not on display at the National Air and Space Museum. It is either on loan or in storage.
Object Details
Country of Origin United States of America Type EQUIPMENT-Photographic Manufacturer RCA
 Dimensions 3-D: 17.8 x 7.6cm (7 x 3 in.)
 Materials Aluminum, Paint, Plastic, Glass
 Inventory Number A19731487000 Credit Line Transferred from NASA Data Source National Air and Space Museum Restrictions & Rights Usage conditions apply
For more information, visit the Smithsonians Terms of Use.