Usage Conditions May Apply Usage Conditions Apply There are restrictions for re-using this media. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page. IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and image viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. More - https://iiif.si.edu View Manifest View in Mirador Viewer Usage Conditions May Apply Usage Conditions Apply There are restrictions for re-using this media. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page. IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and image viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. More - https://iiif.si.edu View Manifest View in Mirador Viewer

RCA designed color television cameras like this one primarily for use on the Apollo lunar rovers. For astronauts on Apollo missions 15, 16, and 17, cameras like this mock-up version were stored in an equipment bay in the lunar module (LM) descent stages. Mission commanders unpacked the cameras and put them on tripods to record early lunar activities such as the unloading of the rover from the LM.

Once attached to the lunar rovers, these television cameras could transmit footage directly to Earth via the Lunar Communications Relay Unit (an antenna) and using the power sources aboard the rovers. Researchers and scientists back on Earth could even remotely-control the television cameras to examine the lunar surface for themselves and track the astronauts as they explored.

NASA transferred this mock-up camera to the Museum in 1975 with Lunar Roving Vehicle #4.

 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 Approximate: 14.61 x 47.63 x 19.69cm (5 3/4in. x 1ft 6 3/4in. x 7 3/4in.)
Storage: 28.58 x 24.13 x 56.52cm (11 1/4in. x 9 1/2in. x 1ft 10 1/4in.)
 Materials Aluminized Kapton, Aluminum, Kapton (Polymide), Velcro, Nylon, Gold Plating, Acrylic (Plexiglas)
 Inventory Number A19750842002 Credit Line Transferred from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Data Source National Air and Space Museum Restrictions & Rights Usage conditions apply
For more information, visit the Smithsonians Terms of Use.