Think using thermal cameras to stalk criminals in the dark is exciting? Try using thermal cameras in space instead!
FLIR technologies – one of the world’s leading thermal camera manufacturers – has partnered together with NASA to install their thermal imaging systems on the United States’ shuttle and International Space Station programs.
NASA took a ThermaCam S65 from FLIR and tweaked it to be protected against the strange environment of space. They’ve added sun radiation protection, protection from fire hazards, shocks, vibration and even the ability to withstand severe temperatures like those put out by the Earth’s atmosphere when travelling through it.
The devices are used by astronauts as a means of checking the damage to shuttles when travelling through space. For example, an astronaut could use a thermal camera to detect the damage heat has done to the wing of the craft, allowing repairs to be made as necessary.
This is particularly important as smaller cracks in the casing of a shuttle wouldn’t be seen by a visual inspection alone. Thermal cameras can however see this damage, and allow the ground team at NASA to relay information on problems to the astronauts in space.
In addition, FLIR has also supplied thermal cameras for use in the International Space Station, again allowing astronauts to look for leaks, cracks and any other heat damage that may be present.
