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The first live television broadcasts from space were made with a black-and-white RCA television camera like this one during the Apollo 7 mission in 1968. Apollo 8 and 9 used similar cameras. Apollo 10 and the lunar landing missions used color cameras.

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.

This camera was transferred from NASA to the Museum in 1979.

Display Status

This object is on display in James S. McDonnell Space Hangar at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA.

James S. McDonnell Space Hangar
Object Details
Country of Origin United States of America Type EQUIPMENT-Photographic Manufacturer RCA
Dimensions Overall: 7in. x 3 1/2in., 4.2lb. (17.78 x 8.89cm, 1.9kg)
Materials metal, glass
Inventory Number A19790664000 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.