Technology Development

Future Use of NASA's Large Format Camera Is Uncertain Gao ID: NSIAD-90-142 June 6, 1990

In response to a congressional request, GAO reviewed: (1) why the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) had stored the Large Format Camera (LFC) since its first and only flight in 1984; and (2) possible future LFC uses.

GAO found that: (1) NASA had successfully demonstrated LFC capabilities by showing that high-quality pictures could be produced in space; and (2) NASA acquired high-resolution three-dimensional pictures that aided in the development of photographic interpretation and analysis techniques. GAO also found that NASA: (1) did not find using LFC on the space shuttle to be commercially feasible because of the high costs associated with shuttle missions; (2) lacked acceptable flight patterns for using LFC because of the planned angles of flight for future shuttle missions; (3) had little or no available cargo space on shuttle missions in the near future; and (4) lacked confidence in the market for LFC products. In addition, GAO found that: (1) using LFC on the planned space station did not appear to be a realistic alternative; (2) NASA was not successful in interesting other agencies or private companies in LFC use on the shuttle missions; and (3) NASA had taken actions to protect LFC from environmental deterioration.

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