NASA astronauts are shooting with DSLRs, mirrorless and action cams on the Artemis II mission

8 April 2026

Space exploration has come a long way, but there is still plenty out there waiting to be discovered.

As NASA’s Artemis II mission moves beyond Earth’s orbit and begins its journey around the Moon, marking the first crewed deep space flight since Apollo 17, attention is turning to more than just the mission itself. The cameras on board are drawing just as much interest as the voyage.

Launched on April 1 and led by astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen, Artemis II is already shaping up to be one of the most heavily documented spaceflights to date.

According to NASA, the Orion spacecraft is equipped with 32 camera-enabled devices. Of these, 15 are mounted to the spacecraft itself, while 17 are handheld units used by the crew for a range of tasks, from system checks to capturing imagery of Earth, the Moon, and life inside the capsule.

Leading the kit are cameras from Nikon and GoPro, combining rugged reliability with lightweight flexibility.

NASA astronaut and Artemis II Commander Reid Wiseman peers out of one of the Orion spacecraft’s main cabin windows, looking back at Earth, as the crew travels towards the Moon. Image: NASA

Interestingly, it's the 10-year-old Nikon D5 that's the main workhorse of the flight - it might not be the newest camera around, but it is a proven performer. Its ability to handle low light and tough conditions makes it a safe bet when you are operating far from home.

Alongside it is the Nikon Z9, bringing newer tech into the mix. It is not just there for the photos either, with the camera also helping researchers understand how modern sensors cope with deep space radiation. Its inclusion reportedly came after a push from astronaut Jeremy Hansen.

GoPros are also part of the setup, chosen for capturing day to day life on board as well as some creative angles outside the spacecraft. Even smartphones have made the trip, though according to NASA, they are strictly offline.

There has also been some chatter online that modified Sony A1 II cameras could be in the mix too, but we were unable to verify these claims.

The move towards a mix of brands and formats marks a historic shift from the Apollo era, when Hasselblad cameras captured iconic images such as those from the Apollo 11 Moon Landing.

You can follow the crew's progress on NASA's website.