posted 12-18-2008 08:46 PM               

In the Astronaut Hall of Fame Museum near KSC, they have a camera on display that is labeled the 'Pilot Observer Camera' for Gemini long-duration flights. It is a Milliken 16 mm film camera model DBM-7 (that one NASA document referred to as a 'panel camera,' but I could not find a suitable explanation).

I am assuming that this is the camera that filmed the b&w sequences in the "Shadow of the Moon" extras.

Are any of our resident Gemini experts familiar with the Pilot Observer Camera or the films that it produced? There are some b&w films showing the Gemini 7 astronauts conducting some of their in-cabin experiments, and I assume these films were made by the Milliken DBM-7 camera.

I have a photo of the camera in the museum and a film still of the unidentified Gemini astronaut that I can send to those who are interested. Thanks.

posted 12-21-2008 01:14 PM               

The camera was used again in the unmanned Gemini II flight, to record instrument panel readings. (See: Gemini 2 Instrumentation Panels)

To my knowledge this type of camera was never used in a manned Gemini flight. Any onboard Gemini footage would be from the Maurer 16mm camera, either handheld or window mounted.

My first guess on the identity of the mystery astronaut would be Michael Collins (Gemini X).