Camera, Balloon Recon, HYAC
Object Details
- Date
- ca. 1950s
- Physical Description
- Fiberglass housing and painted black with a f/5 lens.
- Summary
- The HYAC (high-acuity) direct-scanning panoramic camera was designed to combine high resolution and a 120 degree wide swath of coverage from high altitudes using 70mm film. In 1958, plastic reconnaissance balloons carryng three HYAC I cameras and other types of cameras were launched for WS461L, a program ostensibly to gather meteorological information but in fact a secret Air Force balloon reconnaissance program over the Soviet Union. As with a similar ill-fated 1956 program, the majority of the balloons fell into Eastern European countries and Soviet hands; the resulting political furor ended the project. This HYAC 1 camera was only used for testing.
- Walter Levison of Itek Corp. developed this aerial camera made of fiberglas to reduce radar reflectivity and flown at altitudes of 15,000 to 30,000 meters.
- Country of Origin
- United States of America
- See more items in
- National Air and Space Museum Collection
- Credit Line
- Donated by Lockheed Martin Missile and Space Corporation
- Data Source
- National Air and Space Museum
- Inventory Number
- A19830266000
- Type
- EQUIPMENT-Photographic
- Restrictions & Rights
- Usage conditions apply
- Materials
- Metal, Rubber, Glass, Wires, Phenolic Resin, Leather
- Dimensions
- Approximate: 73.66 x 73.66 x 31.75cm (2ft 5in. x 2ft 5in. x 1ft 1/2in.)
- Lens 3in diameter, 12in focal length
- Control box 8in long, 6in wide
- Film width 2-3/4in
- Record ID
- nasm_A19830266000
Fiberglass housing and painted black with a f/5 lens.
