Last year, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) ordered 11 Nikon D3S cameras to use on the Space Shuttle, and later at the International Space Station, alongside 7 AF-S NIKKOR 14-24mm f/2.8G ED lenses. Now, NASA and Nikon have released the firm images captured in space by the D3S (see images above and below).

But, these images are not the first to be captured in space using Nikon equipment. "To date, NASA has captured more than 700,000 images with Nikon equipment carried into space," says Nikon. "Nikon’s history with NASA began with the Nikon Photomic FTN※, a modified Nikon F camera that was used aboard the Apollo 15 in 1971. Nikon’s relationship with NASA continued even with the transition to digital when NASA placed orders for Nikon D2XS digital-SLR cameras in 2008. These cameras are still being used in space today."

In June, the Russian Federal Space Agency also ordered three Nikon cameras. At the time, Nikon said that "no special improvements or modifications [had] been made to these products. They are the same products available to consumers, confirming the reliability of the D3S, D3X and Nikkor lenses."

For more on Nikon's cameras, visit www.nikon.co.uk.