Since the 1960s, the diverse applications of Corona's remote sensing technologies have improved the quality of life worldwide. Images of the Earth from space are now used for mapping unexplored regions, evaluating natural resources, and uncovering archaeological data. Continuous imaging from space enables analysis of environmental/weather patterns, ocean temperature variations, and changes in landmasses and their features. More than 800,000 Corona photographs, declassified in 1995, are the only source of such data from the 1960s and early 1970s.
MINORU S. "SAM" ARAKI was the Lockheed lead engineer for the new gyro-stabilized spacecraft. From Earth orbit, the craft had to serve as a stable platform for camera operation and position itself for recovery of the film capsule (see below). It used a three-gyro guidance and control system with correction inputs from horizon sensors that enabled precise, cold-gas valve firings for stabilization on three axes. Gyros and cold-gas thrusters like Corona's are still the standard for space systems today.
FRANCIS J. MADDEN was the chief engineer of Itek Optical System's camera design group. His team developed a panoramic camera that doubled the previous best focal length and improved resolution. The camera had an elaborate film path to handle the film as it traveled from the supply spool through the exposure frame, paused for exposure, and resumed transport to a spool -- all at 18 inches/second. Ground control operated the camera remotely.
DON H. SCHOESSLER was lead engineer of the Kodak film design and production team. The newly invented thin-based, polyester film had to endure the harsh space environment, withstand temperature variations of 800 degrees Fahrenheit, and survive atmospheric radiance. The 2.5-mils-thick (63.5 microns) film also required strength to rapidly move through the camera.
EDWARD A. MILLER of General Electric Co. was th
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Contact: Randy Atkins
atkins@nae.edu
202-334-1508
The National Academies
21-Feb-2005