[sci.space.shuttle] new shuttle cameras

larson@unix.SRI.COM (Alan Larson) (05/09/89)

On the just completed mission, there was mention of the camcorder
that had been taken up in the shuttle.  Apparently it was one of
the Sony 8mm units.

While it was very pleasing to watch live NTSC video from the
shuttle, I do have some questions.

    1.	It was said this was not a special unit for the mission.
	I was wondering what model it actually was.

    2.	If it was a Sony (as the press briefing implied), why
	did they pick that particular type?

	a. The pictures 'looked' like a consumer Sony camera --
	   bright, slightly pastel images -- very nice and pleasant
	   to watch.
	b. Other manufacturers seem to produce better (more accurate)
	   color rendition.

    3.	Why did they use the non-standard color system in the other
	cameras from the shuttle?  It looked like some type of sequential
	system, can anyone provide any further details on it?

Thanks,

	Alan