This wide angle lens is of the same type as the one used on the Westinghouse black and white television camera. It is similar to the one used to transmit images of astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin on Apollo 11. Stored in the Modularized Equipment Stowage Assembly (MESA) of the "Eagle" lunar module (LM), the camera was deployed by Armstrong before he climbed down the ladder of the LM and transmitted the historic "first step" back to Earth. After the astronauts were on the lunar surface, they placed the camera away from the LM to record their activities. The original camera is still on the Moon.

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

Unknown

Dimensions

3-D: 5.1 x 6.7cm (2 x 2 5/8 in.)

Materials

Steel, aluminum, plastic, glass, epoxy, paint

Inventory Number

A19731497000

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.