Navcam, short for navigational camera, is a type of

camera A camera is an optical instrument that can capture an image. Most cameras can capture 2D images, with some more advanced models being able to capture 3D images. At a basic level, most cameras consist of sealed boxes (the camera body), with a ...

found on certain robotic rovers or

spacecraft A spacecraft is a vehicle or machine designed to spaceflight, fly in outer space. A type of artificial satellite, spacecraft are used for a variety of purposes, including Telecommunications, communications, Earth observation satellite, Earth ...

used for navigation without interfering with scientific instruments. Navcams typically take wide angle photographs that are used to plan the next moves of the vehicle or object tracking.

Overview

The Mars ''Curiosity'' rover has two pairs of black and white navigation cameras mounted on the mast to support ground navigation. The cameras have a 45 degree

angle of view The angle of view is the decisive variable for the visual perception of the size or projection of the size of an object. Angle of view and perception of size The perceived size of an object depends on the size of the image projected onto the ...

and use visible

light Light or visible light is electromagnetic radiation that can be perceived by the human eye. Visible light is usually defined as having wavelengths in the range of 400–700 nanometres (nm), corresponding to frequencies of 750–420 te ...

to capture stereoscopic 3-D imagery.First NavCam mosaic
/ref> These cameras, like those on the

Mars Pathfinder ''Mars Pathfinder'' (''MESUR Pathfinder'') is an American robotic spacecraft that landed a base station with a roving probe on Mars in 1997. It consisted of a lander, renamed the Carl Sagan Memorial Station, and a lightweight, wheeled roboti ...

missions support use of the ICER image compression format.

European Space Agency , owners = , headquarters = Paris, Île-de-France, France , coordinates = , spaceport = Guiana Space Centre , seal = File:ESA emblem seal.png , seal_size = 130px , image = Views in the Main Control Room (120 ...

''Rosetta'' spacecraft used a single camera with 5 degree field of view and 12

bit The bit is the most basic unit of information in computing and digital communications. The name is a portmanteau of binary digit. The bit represents a logical state with one of two possible values. These values are most commonly represented a ...

1024x1024px resolution allowing for visual tracking on each of spacecraft approaches to the asteroids and finally the

comet A comet is an icy, small Solar System body that, when passing close to the Sun, warms and begins to release gases, a process that is called outgassing. This produces a visible atmosphere or Coma (cometary), coma, and sometimes also a Comet ta ...

Gallery

20110406 PIA13809 D2011 0404 D036 cropped-full.jpg, ''Curiosity'' rover's mast with two navcams MER Pancam.JPG, Mars Exploration Rover's mast with two

Pancam Each Pancam is one of two electronic stereo cameras on Mars Exploration Rovers ''Spirit'' and ''Opportunity''. It has a filter wheel assembly that enables it to view different wavelengths of light and the pair of Pancams are mounted beside tw ...

s (on its sides) and two navcams Opportunity Rover Approaches Marquette Island.jpg, Example of photo made by ''Opportunity''s navcam NLA 397673010EDR F0010008AUT 04096M.JPG, First photo made by ''Curiosity''s navcam

References

Space imagers Spacecraft instruments Mars imagers Mars Pathfinder Mars Exploration Rover mission Mars Science Laboratory instruments Navigational equipment {{ESA-stub

Overview

Gallery

See also

References