In the early afternoon of July 26, 1971 the Apollo 15 mission launched from Cape Canaveral on its way to the Moon. Noted as one of the first missions to have a decidedly scientific focus, Apollo 15 astronauts would probe the moon using instruments ranging from the first lunar rover to a laser altimeter, and of course a mapping camera.
Built by world famous Hasselblad Camera Company the Hasselblad Data Camera (HDC) was designed specifically for the environmental rigors of the moon. Painted silver and filled with lubricants that could withstand the vacuum of space, the HDC was essentially an expertly paired down version of Hasselblad’s 500EL. In addition to its new mechanical configuration the lunar camera also featured a customized lens created by Carl Zeiss himself, and registered images onto specially designed Kodak film.
Aside from its terrestrial science equipment, the Apollo 15 mission also carried a Lunar sub-satellite meant to measure the Moon’s gravity, magnetic field and a number of other features. All in the all the Apollo 15 mission marked the true beginning of off world scientific investigation, as astronauts conducted experiments that would reveal many clues about the origin of the Moon and our own planet.
Late next month the HDC will be put up for sale at the Westlicht Photographica Auction in Vienna. The starting bid for this unique piece of Space Age equipment is set at $108,000 and estimates have its final price pegged nearer to $207,000.
Images Courtesy of Westlicht, NASA & Wikipedia