NASA, Kodak HAWKEYE II / Nikon F3

[RonVol]

Here's some footage I've put together showing one of the very first electronic stills cameras used by NASA in space - https://youtu.be/AozXw8yJWF0

The first ESC used in space was based on a Nikon F4 body and flew on a Shuttle mission a couple of months previous.

This particular unit was the forerunner to the Kodak DCS-DC3 (sometimes incorrectly referred to as the DCS-100).
Image below shows the complete setup as used in the video.

For more info about the Hawkeye system; visit the website of Jim McGarvey, one of its designers  - http://eocamera.jemcgarvey.com/tethered.php

[null]

I saw the "Hercules" camera, the F4 based Digital camera, also called "ESC". 1MPixel, that was something back then. Long time ago, worked with some of the people that developed it. I worked with Digital Infrared sensors, Midwave and Longwave, in the 1980s. Was not long after that you just bought these, the DCS460c that John Glenn used is in the Udvar Hazy Museum(in a glass case).

[Erik Lund]

Very interesting! Huge amount of accessories to get it going

[null]

Looks small and compact to me...

Our second sensor took up multiple racks onboard a P3 and the crew could not turn the coffee pot on while our gear was running- we were sucking that much power from the flight generators. My VAx 11/725 had to be carted onto the plane to check that the system worked before taking off. About the size of a small refrigerator. To see the size and power draw of that generation of gear become something the size of what is shown within 10 years- amazing. The DCS200ir still amazes me, also that it still works. Something that I can look back on.

[Erik Lund]

I'm a little puzzled about the 1.5X tele-converter reference ?

Also it looks like a Nikon Lens Scope Converter to me in the image...

[Andrea B.]

Fascinating history !

[null]

RonVol- Did you work on this system, or have you added this system to your collection? Jim put together a nice history of Kodak cameras.

http://www.nikonweb.com/files/DCS_Story.pdf

The DCS200ir is not in his article.

[Erik Lund]

I newer saw this before, Very nice reference! Thanks

[Hugh_3170]

Brian, thanks for the link to this article.

It makes for reading that is interesting, but at the same time quite sad given where Kodak ended up versus the pioneering efforts and lead in DSLRs that they once had.  Their executive level leadership was clearly not up to the management of rapid technological change.  So sad.

[RonVol]

I'm a little puzzled about the 1.5X tele-converter reference ?

Also it looks like a Nikon Lens Scope Converter to me in the image...

I have to agree with you Erik, it does look more like a scope converter............thanks for pointing that out.
I've fixed the error shown in the image.

[RonVol]

RonVol- Did you work on this system, or have you added this system to your collection?

No to both of those questions Brian.
The US Air Force is currently in possession of this set.

Here are a couple of shots showing the F3 body and Kodak back that were part of the Hawkeye II system.

[Erik Lund]

Very nicely done that F3!

Yes, also I don't think there ever was a 1.5x TC anyway...

[null]

Next time I'm at the Air and Space Museum I'll look for one- they have a lot of cameras at the Udvar Hazy Museum, and some downtown as well. I saw the ESC at work in the early 90s, after it was used. Kodak made the DCS200ir at my request, it did go up on some airborne flights, but not space. There were not many made, I've seen one other on Ebay with a SN 1 higher than mine. I have the first.

1MPixel CCD on display, most likely the type (or very similar to) used in the ESC. I remember being told is was a 1MPixel array, that was big. Back Then.

[Erik Lund]

Brian that is truly something special!

[RonVol]

One of these bodies, minus the winder, sold on eBay back in 2010.
I don't think people fully understood the significance of what was up for bids.