Film Processor-Dryer for Lunar Orbiter Photo System

J. J. Meyers, D. Endter, R. F. Limoges

High-quality processing and drying of photosensitive film, completely unattended in deep space and in a zero gravity environment, present a number of unique problems. The KODAK BIMAT Transfer Film Processing System was selected as the best method for meeting the processing needs of Lunar Orbiter. This system is basically a diffusion transfer process in which the processing chemicals, including moisture, are carried in a thin hydrophilic layer which is coated on an ESTAR Film Base support. This layer is brought into intimate contact with the exposed photosensitive film, at which time processing takes place. In order to maintain a consistently high level of processing quality, the environmental control system for the entire Photo System had to be carefully designed. The concept and operational details of this processor-dryer system arc described.

Print ISSN
Published
1967-08
Content type
Original Research
DOI
10.5594/J09115