At 04:45 PM 7/28/2002, you wrote: > > ...megapixel class cameras, OTS for under $500, > > could be stripped of case and flash (but autofocus left in place)... > >No need for autofocus -- focus is always at infinity! And anything which >has moving parts requires a change of lubricant, to something vacuum- >compatible, so eliminating autofocus simplifies life.
Actually, the rocket can be really simple. Once the booster is empty, eject the rear end exposing a spring-loaded antenna (think umbrella) which will automatically be aimed at Earth (use thrusters to keep it aimed). The nose cone comes off and there's the camera on a simple gimbal (rotary shaft sticking axially out of the rocket and the camera on a 180 degree pivot on the end of the shaft). The camera will be able to see anywhere in front of and to the side of the rocket body, and to some angle towards the tail. ---------- Jerry Durand Durand Interstellar, Inc. 219 Oak Wood Way Los Gatos, California 95032-2523 USA tel: +1 408 356-3886 fax: +1 408 356-4659 web: www.interstellar.com _______________________________________________ ERPS-list mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://lists.erps.org/mailman/listinfo/erps-list
