WASHINGTON, April 18 —  NASA deploy both the Nikon Z9 and the Nikon D5 on its Artemis II mission, marking a key step in studying imaging technology in deep space.

Mission commander Reid Wiseman confirmed the Z9 was added following crew requests to evaluate how radiation affects modern camera sensors, providing valuable data for future lunar missions.

Taken with Nikon D5, 144.0-24.0 mm f/2.8

While the Z9 will serve as a test unit, two Nikon D5 cameras will handle primary photography duties due to their proven durability and strong low-light performance. The DSLR’s reliability in high-radiation environments makes it ideal for capturing images during the lunar flyby.

Taken with Nikon D5, 80.0-400.0 mm f/4.5-5.6

The mission, featuring astronauts Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen, will also utilise smartphones and action cameras.

Insights gained from the Z9’s performance are expected to support development of next-generation space imaging systems for upcoming Artemis missions, including Artemis III.