NASA orders 11 Nikon D3S DSLRs

To snap some shots on the International Space Station

22 December 2009 14:41 GMT / By Amy-Mae Elliott

Nikon has revealed that NASA has placed an order for 11 D3S digital SLR cameras to be used for photographic documentation - in space.

The D3S DSLRs and AF-S NIKKOR 14-24mm f/2.8G ED lenses ordered by NASA will be carried on the Space Shuttle and used to photograph activities at the International Space Station in the future.

No special modifications will be made to these products, says Nikon who has supplied photographic equipment to NASA since the Apollo 15 mission in the early 1970s, they will be the same products available to end-users, which Nikon says "confirms the incredible versatility of the D3S".

To date, NASA has captured more than 700,000 images using Nikon equipment carried into space.

The D3S, priced at just over £4000, is an update to Nikon's pro-level D3 model and offers a 12.1-megapixel sensor, high ISO ratings, and the ability to capture HD video.