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| USGS › Geography › Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center |
Apollo 11 |
Shuttle Discovery |
Space Acquired Photography includes imagery from the following sources:
Gemini photography was acquired between March 23, 1965 and November 15, 1966. The images were collected as part of the Synoptic Terrain Photography and the Synoptic Weather Photography experiments during Gemini Missions III through XII. Hand-held cameras were used to obtain photographs of geologic, oceanic, and meteorologic targets. The Gemini collection also includes historical photography such as the first space walk by an American astronaut, the first docking of two space vehicles, and the first photograph of a solar eclipse from space. The Gemini archive consists primarily of 70-mm black and white (B/W), color, and color-infrared (CIR) film. All Gemini photographs are distributed by the USGS Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center as digital products only.
Apollo photography was acquired between April 4, 1968 and December 19, 1972. The archive consists of images obtained from all of the Apollo flights, including hand-held and multispectral photographs from Missions 6, 7, and 9; Lunar Mapping Camera photographs from Missions 15 through 17; full views of the earth and moon; and historical imagery such as the first moon landing by man. The Apollo archive consists of 70-mm B/W, color, and CIR film. All Apollo photographs are distributed by the USGS EDC as digital products only.
Skylab photography was acquired between May 22, 1973 and February 8, 1974 during three manned flights. The Skylab Earth Resources Experiment Package used two photographic remote sensing systems. The Multispectral Photographic Camera (S190A), was a six-camera array, in which each camera used 70-mm film and a six-inch focal length lens. The acquired film ranges from narrow-band B/W to broad-band color and CIR. The Earth Terrain Camera (S190B) consisted of a single high-resolution camera which used five-inch film and an 18-inch focal length lens. The acquired film includes B/W, black and white infrared (BIR), color, and CIR. All Skylab photographs are distributed by the USGS EDC as digital products only.
International Space Station (ISS) imagery has been acquired from February 2001 to present. The images were obtained from an astronaut hand-held camera, and most of the photographs are in natural color. However, CIR film was also used on some missions, along with the limited use of B/W polarized film.
Space Shuttle imagery has been acquired from 1981 to present. The images were obtained from an astronaut hand-held camera. Approximately 85% of the acquired Shuttle photographs are Earth views, and the remainder of the photographs may include satellite deployments, extravehicular activities and interior Shuttle photographs. Most of the photographs are in natural color. However, CIR film was also used on some missions, along with the limited use of B/W polarized film.
Shuttle Large Format Camera (LFC) images were acquired from the Space Shuttle Challenger Mission on October 5-13, 1984. The LFC was mounted in the cargo bay, and was operated via signals from ground controllers. The archived imagery includes 9 x 18 inch B/W, natural color, and CIR film. Shuttle LFC photographs are distributed by the USGS EDC as digital products only.
Additional Information:
| Skylab, Gemini, and Apollo | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Film Size | Micron Size | Black and white (B/W) | Color/Color-infrared (CIR) |
| 70 mm | 21 micron (1200 dpi) | 15 MB | 45 MB |
| 14 micron (1800 dpi) | 30 MB | 90 MB | |
| 7 micron (3600 dpi) | 105 MB | Not Available** | |
| 5 x 5 inch | 21 micron (1200 dpi) | 40 MB | 120 MB |
| 14 micron (1800 dpi) | 80 MB | 240 MB | |
| 7 micron (3600 dpi) | 325 MB | Not Available** | |
| Space Shuttle Large Format Camera | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Film Size | Micron Size | Black and white (B/W) | Color/Color-infrared (CIR) |
| 9 x 18 inch | 21 micron(1200 dpi) | 117 MB (x 2 files) | 350 MB (x 2 files) |
| 14 micron(1800 dpi) | 262 MB (x 2 files) | 787 MB (x 2 files) | |
| 7 micron(3600 dpi) | 1.3 GB (x 2 files) | Not Available** | |
** Color/CIR film source is not available at a 7 micron spot size because the file size is too large and/or there
are no advantages below the 14 micron spot size.
The above sizes may vary due to scanning more than just image data. With our policy to scan the surrounding metadata and the addition of the USGS logo the actual image size will generally be larger than the estimates above.
The file sizes are approximately 15 megabytes for black and white images and 40 megabytes for color images. The files are stored in a TIFF format. The medium-resolution files are created at approximately 400 dpi.
| Skylab Gemini Apollo |
EarthExplorer |
|---|---|
| Space Shuttle International Space Station |
NASA Earth Sciences & Image Analysis |
| Space Shuttle Large Format Camera | EarthExplorer |
Space Acquired Photography can be searched and ordered on EarthExplorer (see above for product availability).
Once Space Acquired Photography imagery has been digitized, products can be ordered on EarthExplorer. With the current scheduling of the Medium Resolution Digitized product, NAPP images will be digitized first, followed by NHAP and other USGS agency Survey Photography projects. Contact USGS Customer Services for further information.
Businesses that can provide printed images from USGS digital data.
Space Acquired Photography are also distributed by the Earth Data Analysis Center (EDAC), and NASA Earth Sciences & Image Analysis. Each distribution site will vary in the products and services they provide.
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