Apollo 11 Saturn V Launch Camera E-8
In July 1969, Apollo 11 made history as the first ever successful manned mission to the moon. Millions of people around the world watched in awe as astronauts Neil Armstrong and Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin took their first steps on the moon's surface.
But have you ever wondered how this historic moment was captured on film? Well, look no further than the Apollo 11 Saturn V Launch Camera E-8 - a camera that played a crucial role in documenting this historic event.
What is the Apollo 11 Saturn V Launch Camera E-8?
The Apollo 11 Saturn V Launch Camera E-8 was a specially designed camera used to capture the launch of the Saturn V rocket carrying the Apollo 11 spacecraft. The camera was located on the launch tower, just 218 feet from the rocket.
The camera itself was a modified 16mm motion picture camera, capable of capturing up to 500 frames per second. It was designed to withstand the intense heat and pressure generated by the rocket launch, which reached up to 7 million pounds of thrust.
Who Operated the Camera?
The camera was operated by a team of engineers from the Eastman Kodak Company, who were responsible for designing and building the camera. The team was led by Dr. Edwin H. Land, who had previously invented the Polaroid camera.
The team had just 10 months to develop and build the camera, with many engineers working around the clock to ensure it was ready in time for the launch. Despite the tight deadline, the camera performed flawlessly during the launch and capture some of the most iconic footage in human history.
What Footage was Captured?
The Apollo 11 Saturn V Launch Camera E-8 captured some of the most iconic footage in human history. The camera captured the intense flames and smoke generated by the rocket launch, as well as the awe-inspiring moment when the rocket cleared the launch tower and soared into the sky.
The camera also captured the moment when the rocket entered into the Earth's atmosphere, and the moment when the rocket's three stages separated. This footage was crucial for engineers back on Earth, who used it to analyze the performance of the rocket and make any necessary adjustments for future launches.
Where is the Camera Now?
After the launch of Apollo 11, the camera was recovered from the launch tower and transported back to Earth. The footage captured by the camera was used extensively in the months and years following the mission, both for scientific analysis and for public viewing.
Today, the camera is on display at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum in Washington D.C. It serves as a testament to the ingenuity and dedication of the engineers who designed and built it, and to the historic moment it captured on film.
Final Thoughts
The Apollo 11 Saturn V Launch Camera E-8 is a true icon of human achievement. It played a crucial role in capturing one of the most historic moments in human history and continues to inspire generations of scientists and engineers. It serves as a testament to the ingenuity and dedication of those who made the Apollo 11 mission possible, and to the power of human curiosity and exploration.
