"Nikon's Lunar Mirrorless: The Camera for Moon Exploration"

NASA and Nikon have partnered to develop a modified version of the Nikon Z 9 mirrorless camera, known as the handheld universal lunar camera (HULC), for astronauts to use on the Moon during the Artemis III mission. The camera will feature Nikkor lenses, a NASA-made thermal blanket, and a custom grip for spacesuit use, offering more flexibility than previous lunar cameras. NASA is conducting rigorous testing on the camera to ensure its functionality in space-like environments and plans to send it to the International Space Station for a demo before the Artemis III mission, which is now expected to take place in September 2026 at the earliest.