How was the first step on the moon filmed?
A Westinghouse camera mounted on the Lunar Module's Descent Stagefilmed Neil Armstrong's first steps on the moon:
- Camera location
The camera was housed in the Modularized Equipment Stowage Assembly (MESA), which Armstrong deployed while standing on the Lunar Module's porch.
- Camera type
The camera was a slow-scan black and white camera designed by Westinghouse. It was mounted upside down to avoid vibration.
- How it worked
Astronaut Aldrin activated the camera from inside the Module once the MESA lowered to the lunar surface.
- Broadcast
The broadcast was relayed live to NASA and TV viewers all over the world via receiving stations on Earth.
- Camera left on the moon
The camera was left on the moon so the astronauts could bring back extra moon rock.
The Apollo 11 mission also used a Hasselblad 500EL Data Camera on the moon's surface. Astronauts Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin later repositioned the camera to film their work on the lunar surface.