Home > Science > Space Exploration > Astronauts
Camera, 35mm, Glenn, Friendship 7, ca. 1962. Creator: Minolta
Wall Art and Photo Gifts from Heritage Images
Camera, 35mm, Glenn, Friendship 7, ca. 1962. Creator: Minolta
With this camera, an Ansco Autoset model, astronaut John H. Glenn, Jr. took the first human-captured, color still photographs of the Earth during his three-orbit mission on February 20, 1962. Glenns pictures paved the way for future Earth photography experiments on American human spaceflight missions. For ease of use by Glenn, NASA technicians attached a pistol grip handle and trigger to this commercial 35-mm camera, which is upside down from its normal orientation. Because Glenn was wearing a spacesuit helmet and could not get his eye close to a built-in viewfinder, NASA engineers attached a larger viewfinder on top. Glenn found the camera easy to use, in part because he could exploit zero-gravitys advantages. " When I needed both hands, I just let go of the camera and it floated there in front of me, " he said in his later memoir. NASA transferred this camera to the Smithsonian in 1963
Heritage Images features heritage image collections
Media ID 23877621
© Heritage Art/Heritage Images
Air And Space Museum Camera Equipment Photographic Friendship 7 Glenn John Glenn John H Glenn John Herschel John Glenn John H Glenn John H Glenn Jr John Herschel Glenn Nasm National Air And Space Museum Space Space Capsule Space Travel Minolta
FEATURES IN THESE COLLECTIONS
> Asia
> Japan
> Related Images
> Science
> Space Exploration
> Astronauts
> Science
> Space Exploration
> Related Images
EDITORS COMMENTS
This print showcases the iconic Minolta camera used by astronaut John H. Glenn, Jr. during his historic Friendship 7 mission in 1962. With this Ansco Autoset model, Glenn became the first human to capture color still photographs of Earth from space, forever changing our perspective on our planet. To accommodate Glenn's unique needs in space, NASA technicians ingeniously modified the camera. They attached a pistol grip handle and trigger for easy handling and adjusted its orientation upside down to ensure optimal use with his spacesuit helmet. Additionally, a larger viewfinder was installed since he couldn't get close to the built-in one. Glenn praised the camera's usability in zero gravity conditions, remarking that when he needed both hands free, he could simply release it and watch it float effortlessly before him. This innovative adaptation allowed him to focus on capturing breathtaking images of our planet without any hindrance. The transfer of this significant piece of equipment from NASA to the Smithsonian Institution in 1963 symbolizes its importance as an artifact of human achievement in space exploration. Glenn's pioneering photography paved the way for future missions' Earth photography experiments and furthered our understanding of our own world from beyond its borders. As we admire this photograph print today, we are reminded not only of Glenn's extraordinary journey but also how technology can transcend boundaries and enable us to see ourselves and our home planet through new lenses – quite literally!
MADE IN AUSTRALIA
Safe Shipping with 30 Day Money Back Guarantee
FREE PERSONALISATION*
We are proud to offer a range of customisation features including Personalised Captions, Color Filters and Picture Zoom Tools
SECURE PAYMENTS
We happily accept a wide range of payment options so you can pay for the things you need in the way that is most convenient for you
* Options may vary by product and licensing agreement. Zoomed Pictures can be adjusted in the Cart.
