NASA and Nikon reach the Moon in Artemis II with a camera that cost $381,000 and without a commercial contract Merca2.0
08 de Abril, 2026 13:25
The Artemis II mission represents a key step forward in the exploration of the Moon. Millions of users have followed NASA’s live broadcasts, joining a global conversation where technology, brands, and digital culture converge around this historic milestone.
READ ALSO. Nutella travels to space on Artemis II: NASA video captures the exact moment
Amid worldwide interest, the iPhone became a trending topic after it was revealed that the astronauts brought Apple devices aboard the Orion spacecraft, from which they shared a few selfies that quickly captured public attention.
Another viral moment occurred during a live NASA broadcast, when a jar of Nutella appeared floating in zero gravity, “flying through the air” and generating a wave of reactions on social media.
However, beyond these viral moments, there is a Japanese brand playing a central—though less visible—role in the mission: Nikon, whose technology is behind the photos documenting this historic journey.
What cameras did NASA bring on Artemis II?
Although the initial plan only included reflex cameras, the crew managed to integrate a key next-generation piece of equipment. The final photography gear carried by the Artemis II crew includes:
- Two Nikon D5 cameras (DSLR reflex)
- One Nikon Z9 (mirrorless)
- Smartphones (including iPhone)
- GoPro cameras
The Nikon D5 is primarily responsible for capturing images from the Orion spacecraft, while the Z9 will be evaluated as part of the technological development for future missions.
Why did NASA choose a reflex model like the Nikon D5?
For several years now, the photography industry has been dominated by mirrorless technology. Brands like Canon and Sony have powerful camera bodies and lenses built with this technology. However, choosing a reflex model responds to fundamental technical criteria for operating in space.
On the matter, NASA explained: “Astronauts on the Artemis II mission will use flight-certified Nikon D5 camera systems, with wide-angle and telephoto lenses, to capture imagery both inside and outside the Orion spacecraft.”
This model offers:
- High radiation resistance
- Excellent performance in low-light conditions
- Wide dynamic range
- Proven reliability
What role does the Nikon Z9 play in the space mission?
Although the Nikon D5 dominates the operation, the Nikon Z9 has a strategic role within Artemis II.
Commander Reid Wiseman said: “we fought hard to get it installed on the spacecraft to test it in a high-radiation environment in deep space.” He also described the Z9 as “an excellent piece of equipment.”
The conditions on the Moon demand extreme technological adaptation. For that reason, NASA and Nikon worked on the development of the HULC (Handheld Universal Lunar Camera), based on the Nikon Z9.
This system includes:
- Redesigned circuits to withstand radiation
- Optimized software
- Special thermal protection
- Controls adapted for astronauts wearing gloves
The Z9 could become the link to the next generation of cameras that will be used directly on the lunar surface, with mirrorless technology.
Nikon D5, a powerful reflex camera with 10 years on the market
The Nikon D5, launched in 2016, remains a benchmark in professional photography under extreme conditions. Its standout features include:
- 20.8-megapixel full-frame sensor
- ISO up to 3,280,000
- Great performance in dark environments
- Ability to capture extreme contrasts
Nikon, one of NASA’s allied brands
Although brands like Apple and Nutella have captured the viral conversation, Nikon is the technological foundation that makes it possible to record the mission’s official images.
Since the Apollo 15 mission in 1971, the Japanese brand has accompanied NASA on different missions, consolidating itself as a strategic partner in space exploration.
In 2024, when NASA announced its partnership with Nikon for the development of the HULC (Handheld Universal Lunar Camera), Nikon’s then-CEO, Naoki Onozato, stated: “The opportunity to collaborate with NASA in this endeavor is simply exciting and also humbling, as we are aware that the benefits of this mission have the potential to affect all of humanity in the future (…) Our goal is to equip the crew in the best way possible so that, with courage, they can bring humanity back to the surface of the Moon, and possibly beyond.”
For Artemis, NASA and Nikon signed a strategic agreement to develop a handheld camera capable of operating on the Moon as part of the program. However, unlike what it may seem, this alliance does not imply a commercial relationship or any exchange of money between the two organizations.
It is a non-reimbursable Space Act Agreement, a legal framework used by NASA to collaborate with private companies without direct profit motives, where each party contributes resources, knowledge, and technology independently.
Rather than an economic transaction, the collaboration is based on an exchange of knowledge, technical testing, and joint development.
Is it a commercial alliance?
No. The document signed by Nikon and NASA clearly states that it is not a commercial relationship, nor a partnership or joint venture. This means:
- There is no joint company between NASA and Nikon.
- There are no shared profit motives.
- Each party maintains its full independence.
In addition, NASA emphasizes that it does not endorse or promote commercial products derived from the agreement, which limits any direct advertising use by Nikon.
However, even though it is not a commercial agreement, the total estimated value of the equipment developed by Nikon is $381,081, that is, approximately 6.6 million pesos.
What does each side gain if there is no money involved?
Although there is no financial exchange, both organizations gain strategic benefits:
NASA
- Access to advanced imaging technology.
- Development of tools to document lunar missions.
- Improved operational capabilities in extreme environments.
Nikon
- Access to testing under extreme conditions (radiation, vacuum, lunar temperatures).
- Innovation applicable to future commercial products.
- Technological positioning linked to space exploration.
Artemis II: a new era for space photography
The Artemis II mission not only redefines the exploration of the Moon, it also transforms the way photos from space are captured and shared.
The collaboration between a brand like Nikon and an institution like NASA shows how technological innovation can transcend the commercial sphere to become a driver of scientific progress. Beyond manufacturing cameras, the Japanese brand provides specialized solutions that make it possible to document, analyze, and understand extreme environments such as outer space or the surface of the Moon. In this context, its technology contributes directly to human knowledge, reinforcing the role of technology companies as strategic allies in exploration, research, and the development of new frontiers for science.
