Ikegami HDTV Cameras go to the Moon

Ikegami Tsushinki Co., Ltd. (Ikegami) announced that two HDTV cameras have successfully taken high definition moving images from the lunar orbiter satellite "KAGUYA (SELENE)".

"KAGUYA (SELENE)", short for SELenological and ENgineering Explorer, is a lunar explorer, developed by The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), was launched by an H-2A rocket on September 14th, 2007 from Japan's island-based Tanegashima Space Center.

According to a press release on October 1st, 2007, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corporation) have successfully taken high definition moving images from the KAGUYA (SELENE) for the first time. It is the first time that high definition images of the earth have been shot so deep in space - about 110,000 km away from the Earth.

The base camera model is the HDL-40 one-piece HDTV camera, which employs 2,200,000 pixels IT CCDs and achieves excellent smear characteristics and high video quality. Using the full digital process IC (Chip-C4), 3,300,000 gate ASIC with precision designed at 0.18um rule, the video signals are fully digitized with 12-bit A/D conversion. 2x HD-SDI outputs are available. Weighing less than 4.0 lbs (1.8kg) and with compact dimensions W90xH130xD180 (mm), it provides many possibilities for various applications, such as: weather cameras, overview cameras on a pan & tilt head, under- water craft, spacecraft, airborne use, surveillance and POV (Point Of View), etc.

The special model for JAXA (based on the HDL-40) was co-developed with NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corporation) and was customised to withstand radiant (cosmic) rays, vibration, heating and cooling all found in the harsh environment of outer space.

The president, Masaki Matsubara, said "We are very glad to hear this successful news and Ikegami will continue supporting JAXA and NHK for the rest of the mission as well".

For further information about "KAGUYA (SELENE)",

please visit JAXA's website (http://www.selene.jaxa.jp/en/equipment/hdtv_e.htm) , images, video, etc.(http://www.jaxa.jp/index_e.html) and also about "KAGUYA", The Tale of Princess Kaguya, please visit Wikipedia.