Astronauts used this Sony video camcorder with the Thermal Enclosure System-Crystal Observation System (TES-COS) to record and observe protein crystal growth experiments during Space Shuttle missions. The camera was attached to the unit to document and monitor the progress of crystal growth experiments inside, without opening the device. After missions, researchers studied the video recordings to understand better the process of protein crystal formation, a matter of interest to the medical, drug, and agricultural industries.
Researchers from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, actively involved in experiments for Shuttle flights, gave this item and a large set of protein crystal growth equipment to the Museum in 2012.
This object is not on display at the National Air and Space Museum. It is either on loan or in storage.