Images from space have inspired and educated millions. From Earthrise in 1968, taken during the Apollo 8 mission, to Earth observations taken from the International Space Station, space imagery has played a vital role in outreach and scientific efforts. Capturing still imagery, videos, and live events are essential to dynamic operations such as spacewalks and visiting vehicles, and in help astronauts share the unique views of Earth and space that can only be captured from the orbiting laboratory.
The Ax-2 crew is training with various cameras and software, learning the photography and videography equipment they will find onboard the space station. This training will enable them to accurately use the unique configurations for each type of camera for many types of imagery to document their time and capture research imagery onboard the ISS, among other events. Additionally, there are many locations aboard the ISS in which the Ax-2 crew will find themselves taking still images and videos, namely the Cupola, with its seven windows.
Understanding what each unique piece of ISS hardware and software can do ensures the mission's success, with each Ax-2 crew member’s having different objectives. During Ax-2, the crew will capture imagery of scientific research, Earth observation studies, and document educational events, and record STEAM demonstrations from space. The astronauts train to conduct live streams as well, operating equipment for space-to-ground communications, such as media interviews, STEAM demonstrations for schoolchildren, and engaging with a myriad of academic and community organizations. They must know photography techniques for each kind of on-orbit event that is scheduled on their mission timeline.
