Eastman Kodak sensors to survey Mars
Solid-state imaging sensors made by Eastman Kodak (Rochester, NY) have been chosen for use on the cameras aboard the upcoming Mars Surveyor 1998 missions. The Kodak KAI-1000 image sensors will be used on three cameras being developed by Malin Space Science Systems (MSSS; San Diego, CA)--two cameras (the Mars Color Imager system) will be mounted on the orbiter to be launched in December 1998, and the other camera (the Mars Descent Imager) will be mounted on the lander that will be launched in January 1999 to land on Mars in December 1999.
"At the time of the selection process, Kodak`s image sensors were the only ones to feature the combination of a megapixel device and an electronic shutter design," said Michael Caplinger of MSSS, adding that a mechanical shutter would add too much weight. The sensors will provide 2.5 times the resolution of the sensors used on the Mars Sojourner Rover that recently ended its mission on the sanguine planet.