Overview

• NASA and Nikon have partnered to develop a handheld mirrorless camera, named the Handheld Universal Lunar Camera (HULC), for use by astronauts on the Moon's surface during the Artemis III mission.
• The HULC is designed to withstand the harsh lunar environment, featuring a thermal blanket for protection against extreme temperatures and dust, and modified electrical components to resist radiation.
• The camera will allow astronauts more freedom of movement and the ability to easily capture both still images and video, marking a significant upgrade from the cameras used during the Apollo missions.
• Before its lunar mission, the HULC will undergo testing aboard the International Space Station and has already been tested in simulated spacewalks and geology training on Earth.
• The Artemis III mission, aiming to explore the lunar south pole, is scheduled for no earlier than September 2026, following delays of previous Artemis missions.