HULC. No, not that green-skinned, muscular superhero with superhuman strength and anger issues who wants to smash everything and everyone in its path. Also not to be confused with HuLC (Human Lander Challenge). Instead, this HULC stands for the Handheld Universal Lunar Camera and it will be a Nikon Z 9 full-frame mirrorless camera heavily modified and strengthened to resist the harsh environment and cosmic radiation that the Artemis III astronauts will face on the Moon surface when they land there in September 2026 for a 30-day mission. You probably will be hard-pressed to recognize this Nikon Z 9 as it will be clad in what amounts to basically its own special advanced “thermal blanket” spacesuit. The Artemis III crew will be the first humans to explore the lunar South Pole region and the HULC will allow them to record the mission in still images and videos.

But why the Nikon Z 9 when there are so many other capable full-frame mirrorless cameras? Well, for one, NASA has always had a special relationship with Nikon. When NASA went about shopping for a handheld camera back in the 1960s for use in its space missions, Nikon was selected as a special manufacturer of 35mm film SLR cameras. In 1971, a heavily modified Nikon F SLR camera and some modified interchangeable lenses accompanied the Apollo 15 mission. Two years later, in 1973, another modified version of the F camera, this time with a motor drive, was sent aboard Skylab. In 1981, NASA formally declared the Nikon F3 SLR camera to be an official NASA camera and modified Nikon F3s went aboard the space shuttle. Interestingly, these modified F3s were very similar to the consumer models. In 1984, the F4 with even less modifications were delivered to NASA. Starting in 1999, Nikon F5 SLR cameras and NIKKOR lenses have been used aboard the International Space Station (ISS) to aid in scientific research, maintenance and aiding astronauts capturing iconic images of the Earth. In 2001, the F5 was fitted with a minimally modified Kodak DCS 760c digital back (equipped with a 6.3-MP image sensor) and sent aboard the Shuttle Endeavour. Most recently, physically unmodified Nikon Z 9 mirrorless cameras were delivered to the crew of the ISS.

Source: Nikon

The early modified Nikon cameras meant for space were very costly to produce and Nikon took heavy losses. But they learned a lot in the process in how to build cameras for space. There is no doubt that Nikon will probably incur losses to design, test and produce the HULC — but this should be offset by the tremendous amount of PR and prestige gained in being selected by NASA and especially by the expertise and technical know-how developed that can be applied to improve the reliability and operational performance of Nikon products in very challenging environments. (Perhaps, wink, wink, Nikon will at last be able to industry certify their flagship camera to be water-, dust- and ice-proof after that?)

The first mirrorless camera to the Moon. Smashingly incredible, if you ask me. Nuff said.

PRESS RELEASE

MIRRORLESS GOES TO THE MOON: NIKON ENTERS INTO SPACE ACT AGREEMENT WITH NASA FOR ARTEMIS MISSION SUPPORT WITH THE NIKON Z 9 CAMERA

Nikon and NASA Collaborating on Handheld Camera Development

Melville, NY (February 29, 2024) – Nikon Inc. has entered into a Space Act agreement with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to support the agency’s Artemis campaign with the Handheld Universal Lunar Camera (HULC) development. The Nikon Z 9, Nikon’s mirrorless full-frame flagship, as implemented in the HULC system, will be the handheld camera for the upcoming Artemis III mission which will be used by the crew returning to the surface of the Moon.

The Artemis campaign is an ambitious and important undertaking for humanity. Artemis will return us to the Moon in order to establish a foundation for long-term scientific lunar research and exploration, eventually leading as a passageway for travel to Mars. Since humankind’s first forays into space, handheld cameras have been used to document the journey, sending back iconic imagery and for research. This Space Act Agreement is a collaboration between NASA and Nikon Inc. to ensure the current state-of-the-art full-frame camera can survive lunar environments while developing an efficient and optimal platform for image and video capture for the mission.

“The opportunity to collaborate with NASA on this endeavor is simply exhilarating yet humbling, as we realize the benefits of this mission have the potential to affect all of mankind in the future,” said Naoki Onozato, President and CEO, Nikon Inc. “As one of the many suppliers and manufacturers collaborating with NASA as part of the Space Act, our aim is to best equip the crew as they bravely bring humanity back to the surface of the Moon, and possibly beyond.”
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