USGS EROS Archive - Aerial Photography - Space Acquired Photography
Photos taken from the International Space Station (ISS), Shuttle, Skylab, Gemini, and Apollo missions. (1965 - present)
USGS maintains a copy of convenience for select space acquired photography provided by NASA.
Collections include:
- Gemini photography was acquired between March 23, 1965 and November 15, 1966. The images were collected as part of the Synoptic Terrain Photography and the Synoptic Weather Photography experiments during Gemini Missions III through XII. Hand-held cameras were used to obtain photographs of geologic, oceanic, and meteorologic targets. The Gemini archive consists primarily of 70-mm black and white (B/W), color, and color-infrared (CIR) film. All Gemini photographs are distributed by the USGS Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center as digital products only.
- Skylab photography was acquired between May 22, 1973 and February 8, 1974 during three manned flights. The Skylab Earth Resources Experiment Package used two photographic remote sensing systems. The Multispectral Photographic Camera (S190A), was a six-camera array, in which each camera used 70-mm film and a six-inch focal length lens. The acquired film ranges from narrow-band B/W to broad-band color and CIR. The Earth Terrain Camera (S190B) consisted of a single high-resolution camera which used five-inch film and an 18-inch focal length lens. The acquired film includes B/W, black and white infrared (BIR), color, and CIR. All Skylab photographs are distributed by the USGS EDC as digital products only.
- Shuttle Large Format Camera (LFC) images were acquired from the Space Shuttle Challenger Mission on October 5-13, 1984. The LFC was mounted in the cargo bay, and was operated via signals from ground controllers. The archived imagery includes 9 x 18 inch B/W, natural color, and CIR film. Shuttle LFC photographs are distributed by the USGS EDC as digital products only.
Digital Information
Since October 1, 2009, the USGS film archive collections have been systematically scanned to a standard format High Resolution 25 micron digital image offered to the public at no charge.
On-demand scanning is available for film sources that are held in the USGS EROS film archive. EarthExplorer has an ‘Order Scene’ icon () on the results page for images that are available for photogrammetric quality scanning. Black and White (BW) images are available in 7 microns (3,600 dpi). Color images are available in 14 microns (1,800 dpi). On-demand film scans for Aerial Photography Single Frame Records are not archived in the USGS EROS database and are not available for download through EarthExplorer.
EarthExplorer can be used to search, preview, and download existing digital files at no cost. For On-demand imagery, an order will need to be placed to scan the film at $30.00 per frame.
Coverage Maps
Coverage Maps indicating the availability of Space Acquired Photography are available for download.
Additional Information
Access Data
EarthExplorer can be used to search, preview, and download Space Acquired Photography. The collection is located under the Aerial Imagery category.
Space Acquired Photography are also distributed by the Earth Data Analysis Center (EDAC), and NASA Earth Sciences & Image Analysis. Each distribution site will vary in the products and services they provide.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Space Acquired Photography Digital Object Identifier (DOI) number: /10.5066/F7MC8Z86
Photos taken from the International Space Station (ISS), Shuttle, Skylab, Gemini, and Apollo missions. (1965 - present)
USGS maintains a copy of convenience for select space acquired photography provided by NASA.
Collections include:
- Gemini photography was acquired between March 23, 1965 and November 15, 1966. The images were collected as part of the Synoptic Terrain Photography and the Synoptic Weather Photography experiments during Gemini Missions III through XII. Hand-held cameras were used to obtain photographs of geologic, oceanic, and meteorologic targets. The Gemini archive consists primarily of 70-mm black and white (B/W), color, and color-infrared (CIR) film. All Gemini photographs are distributed by the USGS Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center as digital products only.
- Skylab photography was acquired between May 22, 1973 and February 8, 1974 during three manned flights. The Skylab Earth Resources Experiment Package used two photographic remote sensing systems. The Multispectral Photographic Camera (S190A), was a six-camera array, in which each camera used 70-mm film and a six-inch focal length lens. The acquired film ranges from narrow-band B/W to broad-band color and CIR. The Earth Terrain Camera (S190B) consisted of a single high-resolution camera which used five-inch film and an 18-inch focal length lens. The acquired film includes B/W, black and white infrared (BIR), color, and CIR. All Skylab photographs are distributed by the USGS EDC as digital products only.
- Shuttle Large Format Camera (LFC) images were acquired from the Space Shuttle Challenger Mission on October 5-13, 1984. The LFC was mounted in the cargo bay, and was operated via signals from ground controllers. The archived imagery includes 9 x 18 inch B/W, natural color, and CIR film. Shuttle LFC photographs are distributed by the USGS EDC as digital products only.
Digital Information
Since October 1, 2009, the USGS film archive collections have been systematically scanned to a standard format High Resolution 25 micron digital image offered to the public at no charge.
On-demand scanning is available for film sources that are held in the USGS EROS film archive. EarthExplorer has an ‘Order Scene’ icon () on the results page for images that are available for photogrammetric quality scanning. Black and White (BW) images are available in 7 microns (3,600 dpi). Color images are available in 14 microns (1,800 dpi). On-demand film scans for Aerial Photography Single Frame Records are not archived in the USGS EROS database and are not available for download through EarthExplorer.
EarthExplorer can be used to search, preview, and download existing digital files at no cost. For On-demand imagery, an order will need to be placed to scan the film at $30.00 per frame.
Coverage Maps
Coverage Maps indicating the availability of Space Acquired Photography are available for download.
Additional Information
Access Data
EarthExplorer can be used to search, preview, and download Space Acquired Photography. The collection is located under the Aerial Imagery category.
Space Acquired Photography are also distributed by the Earth Data Analysis Center (EDAC), and NASA Earth Sciences & Image Analysis. Each distribution site will vary in the products and services they provide.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Space Acquired Photography Digital Object Identifier (DOI) number: /10.5066/F7MC8Z86