This RCA camera and attached 100mm wide-angle lens were part of the first television broadcast from space. This took place during the Apollo 7 mission when astronauts Wally Schirra, Walter Cunningham, and Donn Eisle orbited the Earth hundreds of times over their ten day mission. The black and white camera had three lenses, including a wide angle lens, which was used most frequently. This type of lens and camera were used extensively for orbital and lunar television transmissions during the Apollo program.
NASA transferred this camera and lens to the Museum in 1972.
This object is not on display at the National Air and Space Museum. It is either on loan or in storage.