Overview
The Nikon D3S was flown by NASA astronauts across 26 identified missions from 2008–2020, contributing 2,048 identifiable frames to the public astronaut photography archive. Traced by manufacturer serial number, at least 10 physical bodies have been identified in the public archive. The Nikon D3S was released by Nikon in October 2009.
Body S/N 2007931 is the most heavily documented in the archive, contributing 406 identifiable frames across 14 missions including ISS040, STS131, STS134. The other 9 identified bodies appear in more targeted mission windows, detailed below.
The Nikon D3S bodies were used with a range of lenses in orbit — the most-used include the 70.0-200.0 mm f/2.8, 24.0-70.0 mm f/2.8, and 14.0-24.0 mm f/2.8. The full lens roster appears in the sidebar.
Bodies identified
Each identifiable body of the Nikon D3S that appears in NASA's public astronaut photography archive, sorted by frame count.
- 2007931
- 2007934
- 2007945
- 2008337
- 2053892
- 2008336
- 2007935
- 2021064
- 2053322
- 2007944
Commercial availability
Nikon D3S on the used market
The bodies documented above are the specific units NASA sent to orbit. The commercial market carries the same Nikon D3S model at accessible prices for collectors, photographers, and researchers. Listings shown are the same model, not the specific bodies flown.
CARES LLC participates in the eBay Partner Network. Purchases via this link may generate commission at no additional cost to you. The listings shown are the same Nikon D3S model used by NASA, not the specific bodies documented above.