Camera images: Nikon and Canon

It's no secret that NASA is careful about the technology it uses on missions, including anything camera-related. After all, space is the epitome of an extreme environment, and it's important to perform thorough testing to ensure devices can function despite those challenges. A recently surfaced NASA presentation, highlighted by Digital Camera World, provides a glimpse at that process.

The 2022 presentation, titled "Handheld Camera (HHC) Initial Test Results," is available through NASA's Technical Reports Server and evaluates the performance of the Canon EOS R5, Nikon D6 and Nikon Z7II in a vacuum chamber that could also heat and cool the cameras. The presentation includes images of the testing procedures and details how the team performed the tests. It's worth noting that the team clarifies that the Nikon Z9 was not available during the thermal-vacuum testing period.

A slide from the presentation detailing parts of the testing procedure. Slide: Jonathan E Pryor, Marshall Space Flight Center

The headline result is that the Canon R5 and Nikon D6 both survived vacuum testing and operated across a temperature range of -30°C to +40°C (-22°F to +104°F), with NASA noting that the two cameras showed "similar operational characteristics" across that range. It's important to note, too, that these were unmodified, off-the-shelf versions of those cameras. It turns out stock cameras are tougher than you may have assumed.

Before testing, the cameras and supporting hardware were heated to 50°C (122°F) for 72 hours in a process known as a bakeout, which helps drive off volatile materials before equipment is placed in a vacuum chamber. The cameras were then placed inside a temperature-controlled enclosure within the chamber, while Wi-Fi and Bluetooth were used to control image and video capture.

The slide detailing the results of some of the testing. Slide: Jonathan E Pryor, Marshall Space Flight Center

The cameras were tested in both stills and video modes, though the D6 didn't undergo the same full set of video tests as the R5. In the hotter video tests, the R5 recorded until it overheated and shut itself down, then was given five-minute cool-down periods before testing continued. The researchers did not perform the second and third D6 video tests out of concern that it might lose connection in the same way as the Z7II (detailed below). Even so, NASA's results suggest both the R5 and D6 were usable in the chamber, with the caveat that the D6's video performance was not explored as extensively.

The Nikon Z7II, meanwhile, did not complete the same full temperature range. The presentation says it worked at ambient temperature, but under near-vacuum conditions, it lost connection after recording video and could not reconnect. The camera didn't outright fail, but a device used in space needs to be able to be reliably controlled, especially if there are plans for remote operation.

Details of the stills performances of the R5 and D6. Slide: Jonathan E Pryor, Marshall Space Flight Center

Another practical problem that the test highlights: remembering to turn Raw files on. The D6 was set up to capture both Raw and JPEG images, and the R5 was supposed to be the same. Unfortunately, the presentation calls out that the "setting was missed during setup process," so it only recorded JPEGs. Next time you discover after a shoot that your camera was set to JPEG only, just remind yourself that even NASA researchers do that.

In addition to camera testing, the deck also includes radiation testing of four CFexpress card brands: Lexar, SanDisk, ProGrade and Sony. SanDisk showed the best result in NASA's calculations, but the presentation strongly warns that the outcome depends on the exact test setup and amount of radiation used, and should not be treated as a buying recommendation. None of the cards completely failed; NASA says temporary radiation-related errors were resolved by power cycling the cards.

A slide from the 2024 presentation detailing camera modifications. Slide: Parker Weide

The 2022 presentation is especially interesting in light of NASA's later work on a dedicated lunar camera. In 2024, NASA published a paper on testing a modified commercial camera for lunar environments. It concludes that the camera and its thermal protection system continued to function under most simulated conditions, but highlights issues such as LCD screen ghosting and overheating in extreme environmental conditions. NASA has since said its Handheld Universal Lunar Camera, or HULC, is based on a modified Nikon Z9 with Nikkor lenses, a protective thermal blanket, modified electronics and a custom grip designed for astronauts wearing spacesuit gloves.

"The Photographer's Eye" (2007) photography book Image: John Szarkowski

For the latest Question of the week, we were curious to know what your favorite photography-related books and articles were. You took the idea a step further, not just listing titles but explaining how the works you read elevated your photography.

Some of your reasons were purely artistic, with many art-focused books suggested, while others were quite technical. Reading through your responses, it became clear that photography isn’t just about mastering a camera. Many of you shared personal stories of inspiration or creative struggles, showing that the right book or article can spark a change in vision as much as technique.

Check out the top book and article suggestions below, and then let us know in the comments what your favorite photography-related books and articles are.

Your book and article suggestions

"Mountain Light" (1987) book cover Image: Galen A. Rowell

Ruby Rod: When I was a kid, just getting started with photography, my mom brought home a book from a library or a garage sale, "The Fun of Photography" by Mario Scacheri. It's a bit corny and not as politically correct as it is today. The book gave practical advice on the basics of composition, darkroom work, and other aspects of the photo hobby at the time. I still use much of the advice today.

Don Sata: "The Photographer's Eye" by John Szarkowski. This is an old book that is as good as the day it was published. It clearly explains something that took me years to understand, that seems to be an ineffable mystery: what exactly is the language of photography, and how to use it?

Something I also love about this book is that it doesn't discuss any technical aspects of photography, which makes it timeless.

Gayle159626: Years ago, when I was in my 20s (I am now 66), I was gifted an interesting book called "A Day in the Life of Australia" by Rick Smolan. This book is the result of one of the most unusual projects in the history of photography. On March 6, 1981, a hundred of the world's greatest photojournalists were given the unique and challenging assignment of their careers – to capture an entire nation on film in a single day.

"Day in the Life of Australia" by Rick Smolan (1982) photograph collection Image: Arnaud de Wildenberg

On the pages of this unusual diary, you'll wake up with camel hunters in the Northern Territory, visit with prisoners inside an Adelaide jail, see Ayers Rock from outer space, travel through aboriginal missions in Arnhem Land and explore an entire community living underground at Coober Pedy.

The book features 367 stunning photographs chosen from the 96,000 shot on March 6, and includes six special photo-essays exploring a day in the life of unusual Australians. A Day in the Life of Australia is a slice of history – a moment frozen in time.

To communicate what you saw, you needed to translate the lost dimensions (depth, movement, and color) into your photograph.

Klaus dk: "Total Picture Control" by Andreas Feininger. His main message is that the photographer transforms a moving, three-dimensional world of color into a frozen, 2D (and, in the late 1950s, monochrome) picture. To communicate what you saw, you needed to translate the lost dimensions (depth, movement, and color) into your photograph.

With today's endless possibilities for manipulation, he looks like a purist, but he describes the techniques available for the creative photographer to get the message through.

paul13walnut5: As I progressed into video, the book "War Junkie" by Jon Steel really inspired me as well. Talk about calm under fire, until he wasn't... not to spoil the book. It was also a frank confessional at a time when it wasn't really all that cool to talk about mental health.

"The Photographer's Handbook" by John Hedgecoe (1982) handbook Image: Leondard Ford and John Hedgecoe

Gato Amarillo: Like most people of a certain age in the US, I grew up on Life magazine with photo reporting, some of it very tough reporting, from all over the world. I think the book that made me aware of photographers as individuals was Edward Weston's Daybooks. That got me thinking about the people behind the cameras and looking at the names under the photos.

John Crowe: "The Photographer's Handbook" by John Hedgecoe was my go-to reference that helped me develop my understanding of photographic techniques back in the 80s.

In the 1990's, the images in the magazine "Outdoor Photographer" drew me into 4x5 photography and gave me a perspective that I eventually applied to my own compositions.

Digital shifting and stitching became the cornerstone of my landscape and architectural photography, replacing my 4x5 film camera. I began experimenting with it in 2011 and was applying it regularly by 2013. I discovered the method online, but I don't remember where. It was probably at Photo.net, but it could have been here. It would be nice to know.

"Jungles" by Frans Lanting (2000) image portfolio Image: Frans Lanting

Ctesiphon: "Jungles" by Frans Lanting. Before reading it (do you say "read" for a book of photos?), I thought nature photography (be it macro, wildlife, or landscape) was about capturing nature in the sharpest, cleanest, most detailed, highest-definition images possible. This book completely changed that for me: it is a masterpiece of not-so-in-focus and grainy pictures that let transpire so much more emotion, mood and atmosphere because of it. You can feel the damp air and hear the birds and insects in these images.

It gave me a new appreciation of moody images (for lack of a better word), which I often try to recreate in areas beyond nature photography. And I don't care about noise in my pictures anymore.

Photographs are like gems: the real and the synthetic are often physically indistinguishable, but there is no question as to the ultimate value.

Astro Landscapes: Despite being decades old, I am still stunned by the current relevance and creative inspiration of Galen Rowell's "Mountain Light". As an adventure landscape and nightscape photographer, one quote of his has stayed with me for almost as long as I've been into photography:

"Photographs are like gems: the real and the synthetic are often physically indistinguishable, but there is no question as to the ultimate value. A photograph that depicts a moment of real life, whether that of a human activity or of the natural world, is of a higher order than the most perfect replication created by or for the camera with luck removed from the formula." - Galen Rowell, 1986

There were many other great book and article recommendations shared in the forums. You'll have no shortage of nostalgic photography-related content to watch.

Keep ready for the next Question of the week to participate in this series. New questions are posted here on the homepage and in the forums every other week. We can't wait to read and share your stories!

Share your favorite photography-related shows and movies!