What made them so special that they could withstand cosmic radiation and the extreme temperature shifts between shadow and full sunlight while they were being used on the baldly exposed surface of the moon? I've read an interview with a Hasselblad spokesman where he mentions that although they were barely modified from the Earth bound versions, they each had a few coats of aluminum/silver paint (?)... but that doesn't strike me as something which would offer a considerable degree of protection, or in fact virtually any protection whatsoever. Also it's been stated by authorities that they used a "special emulsion" with the film... but as far as I can tell they've never ever said what---exactly---was so special about it.
So what was so special about it? Or is it a trade secret and therefore unavailable to the public? I just want a basic explanation that isn't totally vague and useless in the vein of "Trust them, they're experts."
Anyone?
2007-07-02 00:28:10 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
Hey Jason thanks very much for that... I'll be back later on to ask a couple more questions but I must say I'm impressed with that detailed answer (and the fact you didn't bash me/anyone in it)
2007-07-02 01:13:00 · update #1
There is not that much that could have hurt a camera -- any camera for that matter -- on the moon.
The Hasselblad were selected because:
1- they are rugged, with large buttons that can be operated with space suit gloves
2- they use larger film format than 35 mm, thus providing better details (film was 70 mm)
3- they use a film magazine that allows replacing the film withouth opening the camera
4- they do not use a view finder that requires peering directly through the camera, as this would have proven impossible with a space helmet (the visor of those camera is a mirror you peer down into, the camera is held on one's chest).
Hasselblad camera were used in NASA space missions as early as 1966. See link.
2007-07-02 01:35:40 · answer #1 · answered by Vincent G 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Two key questions: What 'cosmic radiation' and what temperature shifts?
Cosmic radiation is mostly particle radiation such as high energy protons and electorns, and is not that energetic in lunar space. The best shield against particle radiation is light metals such as aluminium, or plastics. The camera box was made of light metal, and as such provided a nice shield against particle radiation. Electromagnetic radiation in space, such as X-rays, is not terribly intense.
The temperature is a separate issue. In a vacuum an object will heat up in direct sunlight, but how much it will heat up will depend on how reflective the surface is, what it is made from, and various other factors. Making something reflective is a very good way to reduce heat absorption (note the reflective coating inside a thermos flask). Remember also that only one side of the object is in sunlight, while the other side is in shadow, where it can radiate away its heat. The temperature most often quoted by those who believe it was all faked is 250 degrees fahrenheit in sun, -250 in shade, but they fail to grasp that the is the SURFACE temperature of the Moon, In the vacuum there can be no ambient temperature, so it is not true that anything in sun is that hot and anything in shadow is that cold. It is also true that things take time to warm up and cool down. The Hasselblad cameras were as often in shadow (cast by the astronaut's body) as they were in sunlight, alternating between the two quite frequently, and coated with reflective paint to avoid absorbing thermal radiation.
As to the emulsion used, I don't know much about that. I do know that the film is (or was) commercially available, and was only 'special' in as much as it was deemed the best one to use for the lighting and temperature conditions likely to be encountered on the Moon.
2007-07-02 08:02:29 · answer #2 · answered by Jason T 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
When I toured Hughes Aircraft during the making of Surveyor I learned from my friend's father, an engineer there, they cover all the components with either Gold or Silver because it's a good protectant from the conditions in space.
2007-07-02 08:25:02 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hasselblad just makes one heck of a camera - it is as simple as that. If Canon made a "rebel" that would work better in space it would be a Canon on the next shuttle.
2007-07-08 19:57:19 · answer #4 · answered by pilot 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋