NASA Contracts with Spencer's Camera & Photo

July 6, 2011 - PRLog -- Alpine, Utah – The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Johnson Space Center located in Houston, Texas, has contracted with Spencer’s Camera & Photo (www.spencerscamera.com) of Alpine, Utah, to perform specific custom camera modifications for purposes of astrophotography and infrared photography on board the international space station.
A Nikon D3s digital SLR camera will be specifically modified for added visual sensitivity of the infrared and visible portions of the electromagnetic spectrum. The modified camera is scheduled to be included as part of the payload on the Space Shuttle Atlantis scheduled to be launched as the final space shuttle mission (STS-135) before the shuttle program is permanently retired in the summer of 2011.
STS-135 – The final mission of the shuttle fleet to launch in the summer of 2011 is scheduled for the Space Shuttle Atlantis' 12-day mission to the International Space Station. This mission (STS-135) will deliver the Raffaello multi-purpose logistics module filled with supplies, including the camera modified by Spencer’s Camera & Photo, and spare parts to sustain station operations once the shuttles are retired.
The modified camera is scheduled to be part of the International Space Stations permanent equipment inventory and is expected to be in low orbit use for up to 5 years.
The requesting NASA Astronaut, Donald Pettit (PH.D.), is listed as a primary member of the International Space Station Expedition 30 crew scheduled for launch on November 30, 2011 from Star City, Russia. Astronaut Pettit will be aboard the international space station for a period of approximately 6 months and plans to use the modified camera extensively during the mission. Uses include infrared photography of earth for agricultural and erosion monitoring purposes; Infrared and visible photography
for astronomical research purposes.
About Spencer’s Camera & Photo: Spencer’s Camera has been the leading provider of infrared and astrophotography conversion services and photographic equipment repair services for more than ten years. Spencer’s Camera specializes in extensive professional camera repairs, custom camera modifications for infrared, forensic and astrophotography purposes. To request additional information
concerning this press release please contact Spencer’s Camera & Photo at info@spencerscamera.com.