Hasselblad 203S Space Camera

Built as one of only 13 Class III Non-Flight 203S Cameras with Data Module Flown on 22 Space Shuttle Missions

This Hasselblad 203S 70mm camera was custom built for the Space Shuttle Program. The Hasselblad body is NASA Class III hardware. The camera was manufactured in the original Hasselblad factory in Gothenburg Sweden around 1997 under contract to NASA.

Hasselblad built approximately 26 Class I flight, and approximately 13 Class III training camera kits. Class I bodies were built with NASA certified lubricants for use in the vacuum of space. Each kit included a 203S body, matching s/n HC-3/70 view finder, matching s/n IR remote, and matching s/n power winder. Kits were shipped to USA from Sweden in batches of 5-10 each. The 203S body was machined from a solid block of aluminum. Only Hasselblad technicians in Sweden were able to repair the 203S Space Cameras. NASA first launched the 203S starting with STS-92, and last launched the camera on STS-107.

Numerous modifications were made from the off the shelf retail version 203FE. One of the more interesting modifications was the power winder. NASA believed the power winder designed for, and sold with the 203FE was under powered. NASA requested Hasselblad modify the power winder built for the 503CW, and adapt it to the 203S. Another modification made, allowed the power winder to be removed without removing the lens in the event the manual winder needed to be installed. Additional modifications added three electrical contacts to the winder, disabling of the viewfinder display light, and modifications to the circuit board in the body.

The body is identified as part #SED33110633-305 s/n 1018 as indicated on the NASA camera body part decal. The body contains one piece of NASA blue Velcro, Class III decal, and stainless steel custom flight bracket. The HC-3/70 view finder (designed to work with 70mm magazines, and the 500 series Hasselblad camera) is identified with the NASA part #SED33110634-305, and matching s/n 1018 as indicated on the NASA part decal. View finder was manufactured for Hasselblad by Hensoldt Wetzlar in Germany. The power winder is part #SED33110633-325 s/n 1024. The winder bears a Class III decal and one piece of NASA blue Velcro. The 250mm f/4 lens as indicated on the NASA part decal is part #SED33110635-301 s/n 1023. The lens bears a 2002 inventory sticker, one piece of NASA blue Velcro, photo/tv bldg 4 sticker. The lens is Class III, and would have been used for astronaut training.

The Data Module is identified as part #SEF33101018-322 s/n 1094. NASA Flight History report included has this Data Module flown on 15 Space Shuttle Flights including: STS-28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 39, 43, 46, 53, 68, 75, 82 Hubble Servicing Mission, 90, 95 John Glenn Flight, and 101. On these missions, Data Module would have been used with the Hasselblad 553 ELS Camera only on these missions. The Data Module Assembly prints 32 alphanumeric characters along the edge of each 70mm film frame at the time of exposure, indicating the date, time, film roll, frame number, and Shuttle mission number. NASA Parts ID tag and parts bag are included. Original NASA acquisition cost was $490.00. This Data Module was sent back to Hasselblad for refurbishment shortly after the loss of Columbia, and was no doubt never used again upon it's return to NASA.

The 70mm film magazine is identified as part #SEF33101018-304 s/n 1084. The magazine contains the usual three strips of NASA blue Velcro, "Class III Not For Flight" metal decal, two "9A" stickers, and a "SVMF" sticker (referring to use as an astronaut training magazine used in building 9A, the Space Vehicle Mockup Facility). Also "9A" is scratched into the side of the magazine. Adhesive reside from other labels is present. This magazine is an older-304 configuration. All training and flight 70mm magazines were updated to -305 configuration prior to STS-91 when the -305 was first flown. This magazine is somewhat rare in that it was never updated. The -305 magazine change was the addition of the four pin terminal at the top of the magazine. This allowed for programing the Data Module while it was attached to the magazine, which could not be accomplished previously. This magazine bears a film speed/type/roll# label on the rear, and adhesive residue on the side where a second film speed/type/roll# label may have been. It's possible this magazine originated as a flight magazine, and was flown on the Shuttle sometime after STS-28, but there is no proof of this.

It's believed the camera body, and view finder remained on the shelf, and were not placed in service. Both are in mint condition. The original power winder s/n 1018 was removed, and probably used for astronaut training. It has been replaced with s/n 1024 which shows evidence of use. There is a small amount of corrosion on the base of one of the terminals, but not on the terminal where contact with battery is made. A small amount of residue is on the inside of the battery compartmet, but not on the terminals. Included is a photocopy of a checklist for the camera settings that were in use at the time of STS-113 (original is pictured).

The camera body is functional with the addition of a battery, film magazine is functional with the addition of 70mm film, lens is functional, and power winder is functional with the addition of batteries. Data Module can't be tested. Batteries and film not included. Includes front and rear body caps, both with NASA blue Velcro. Original NASA cost of the camera body was $5,565.00.