- NASA’s Artemis II crew will carry two Nikon D5 DSLRs — released in 2016 — on humanity’s first crewed lunar voyage in over 50 years.
- The D5 was chosen for its radiation resistance, extreme ISO range (up to 3,280,000), and proven reliability in space.
- Future Artemis missions will upgrade to next-generation camera systems currently undergoing spaceflight qualification.
When the four Artemis II astronauts blast off toward the Moon later this year, they won’t be packing the latest mirrorless marvels. Instead, they’ll be shooting with a camera that debuted the same year Pokémon Go took over the world: the Nikon D5.
According to PetaPixel, two Nikon D5 bodies will travel aboard the Orion spacecraft with astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen as they venture farther from Earth than any human in history. It’s a delicious irony: decade-old DSLRs heading to the cutting edge of human exploration.
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Why the Nikon D5? It’s All About Reliability
The Nikon D5 isn’t going to the Moon because NASA forgot to upgrade. It’s going because, in the unforgiving environment of deep space, proven reliability trumps bleeding-edge specs.
“The choice of the Nikon D5 was not accidental,” writes Charles Boyer of Florida Media Now. “The camera is known for its low-noise performance and high dynamic range, qualities that allow it to handle the stark contrast between sunlit spacecraft surfaces and deep shadow in space.”
Even more critical: the D5 has demonstrated strong resistance to radiation effects. Beyond low Earth orbit, radiation exposure increases significantly — a major concern for sensitive electronic components in mirrorless cameras that rely entirely on electronic viewfinders and complex sensor readout circuits.
The ISO King Still Wears the Crown
When the Nikon D5 launched in 2016, it made headlines with an extended ISO range reaching a staggering 3,280,000. That number wasn’t just a marketing gimmick — and it turns out to be genuinely useful when you’re hurtling through the darkness of space.
For comparison, the newer Nikon Z9 maxes out at ISO 102,400. Even when downsizing Z9 files to match the D5’s 20.8-megapixel resolution, PetaPixel notes that the old DSLR still delivers cleaner images at very high ISO values. In the extreme lighting conditions of space — harsh sunlight against absolute blackness — that dynamic range advantage matters enormously.
Nikon
Nikon D5
Nikon and NASA: A Partnership Decades in the Making
The D5’s selection continues a long partnership between Nikon and NASA that stretches back to the Space Shuttle era. NASA has relied on Nikon cameras for decades — from modified F3 bodies in the 1980s to various D-series DSLRs aboard the International Space Station. The agency’s photographers need equipment that can withstand vibration, temperature extremes, and cosmic radiation while producing scientifically useful imagery.
Nikon Z9 mirrorless cameras are already available on the ISS, but the space station orbits in low Earth orbit where radiation levels are far more manageable. The Artemis II mission will push beyond that protective zone, making the battle-tested D5 a safer bet for such a historic journey.
Why Not Mirrorless? What Makes Space Photography Different
Photographers on Earth have largely moved to mirrorless systems, so the choice of a DSLR might seem puzzling. But space photography operates under a completely different set of rules:
- Radiation hardening: DSLRs use an optical viewfinder and mechanical mirror, meaning fewer electronic components exposed to radiation during framing and composition.
- Spaceflight qualification: Every piece of equipment must undergo rigorous testing. The D5 has already passed; newer cameras haven’t completed the process yet.
- Battery life: DSLRs are inherently more power-efficient since they don’t need to continuously power an electronic viewfinder or rear screen for composition.
- Mechanical reliability: The D5’s mechanical shutter and mirror system have a proven track record in extreme conditions, with fewer points of electronic failure.
NASA confirmed to PetaPixel that “future Artemis missions will incorporate next-generation camera systems currently undergoing spaceflight qualifications.” So mirrorless cameras will likely reach the Moon eventually — just not on this historic first crewed trip.
Not the Only Camera on Board
The Nikon D5 won’t be the sole imaging device aboard Orion. The astronauts will also carry handheld GoPro cameras provided by Disney for a National Geographic documentary. And in a first for space travel, crew members will be allowed to bring their personal smartphones.
Among the four-person crew, it’s Christina Koch who may be the mission’s standout photographer. During her record-breaking 328-day stay aboard the ISS — the longest continuous spaceflight by a woman — she captured numerous stunning images that demonstrated exceptional visual storytelling.
Launch Update: Delay Expected
As excitement builds, there’s a hitch: the Space Launch System rocket is being rolled back from the launch pad due to a helium system issue. Originally targeting a March 6 launch, the mission is now expected to slip to at least April 2026. That gives the D5s a few extra weeks of rest before their lunar debut.
Whether you find it charming or concerning that 10-year-old DSLRs are heading to the Moon, there’s a lesson here for every photographer: the best camera isn’t always the newest one. Sometimes it’s the one that’s been proven to work when failure isn’t an option. If you’re curious about how current camera pricing trends are affecting gear choices closer to Earth, that’s a different story entirely — but NASA’s pick proves that reliability never goes out of style.
Why is NASA using the Nikon D5 instead of a newer mirrorless camera for Artemis II?
The Nikon D5 has been flight-qualified for deep space, meaning it has passed rigorous testing for radiation resistance, vibration, and extreme temperatures. Newer mirrorless cameras like the Nikon Z9 are available on the ISS but haven’t completed spaceflight qualification for missions beyond low Earth orbit.
What lenses will the Artemis II astronauts use with the Nikon D5?
NASA confirmed the crew will use wide-angle and telephoto lenses to capture imagery both inside and outside the Orion spacecraft. Specific lens models have not been publicly disclosed.
Will future Artemis missions use mirrorless cameras?
Yes. NASA has stated that future Artemis missions will incorporate next-generation camera systems currently undergoing spaceflight qualifications, which likely includes mirrorless bodies like the Nikon Z9 or its successors.
How does the Nikon D5’s ISO range help in space photography?
The D5’s extended ISO range of up to 3,280,000 allows it to capture images in extremely low-light conditions. In space, lighting shifts dramatically between harsh direct sunlight and total darkness, making high ISO capability and strong dynamic range essential.