Camera Body, Hasselblad, Gemini

This Hasselblad 500C camera body is of the type used by the Gemini astronauts, and the instructions adhered to the top of the camera body mean this was likely used in training. Walter Schirra inspired NASA to look at the Swedish-built Hasselblad 70mm single-reflex camera after purchasing one for himself prior to his Mercury-Atlas 8 mission in 1962. The brand became a standard for astronaut photography. During their missions, astronauts photographed the Earth and other objects in orbit, such as the Agena target vehicles or astronauts on EVA. NASA modified the film itself so more images could be taken on a single role and removed the mirror and viewfinders to cut back on weight. It is not known if this camera flew on a particular mission.

NASA transferred the camera to the Smithsonian in 1969.