Business Screen Magazine (1965-1966)

Manned Spacecraft Ctnlcr's Laboraloix (CONTIMFD FKUM I'ACih 55) ourselves in advance, there arc a number of \ariables to be considered. One of the most important is the proper operation of the space camera. Shutter speeds are checked, f-numbers arc verified and if there is still doubl about the exposure, four frames are clipped from a roll and developed. Sensitomctry would let us adjust for camera errors if necessary. So far. no Gemini flight film has needed adjustment." Advuntuges of Thin Base Fi'm Thin base color film is being used in space cameras to get more exposures and cut weight. A 100 foot. I6mni spool can be wound with as much as 140 feet of thin base color film in the MSC laboratory — and only color is used, except where specific scientific experiments call for black and white film. Processing thin base film is difficult because the emulsion is applied to both sides of the film's base. MSC officials feel that they may make a worthwhile contribution to the civilian film industry through techniques developed at the Spacecraft Center for handling thin base. There have already been some inquiries by independent laboratories. "Among the more difficult problems encountered processing thin base color film," explained Holland, "is its tendency to adhere to the machine rollers. We tried a number of materials for rollers before our maintenance department finally solved it with teflon Teflon rollers are nt>w used in all three sections of the machine and the drying cabinet. Still another problem comnu>n to this type of film is slow drying compared to standard film. Our answer to this was a portable hair dryer. Using the blower and heater unit, we fashioned a pre-dryer under the film — on the roller side — and regulated the heat with a rheostat." •Admittedly MSC"s elaborate handling and processing of flight film is a more expensive method than most independent laboratories could afford. But MSC officials feel the results demanded of them justify the cost. "There is no way to place a value," says Southard, "on Ed White's "walk" on the Rendezvous of GT-6 and 7 or on the up-coming GT films where an astronaut will be outside his spacecraft for over an hour. We have to be capable of processing this footage." Procedures Followed at Lab All undeveloped film work, motion picture, still or slides — except flight film — enters the Technical Laboratory through the Production Control Department by mail or personal delivery by the photographer. A three-cai boned NASA Photographic Work Request is filled out with the necessary information regarding size, number of copies, print finish and other appropriate data. A copy is attached to the film container to stay with the film until it leaves the laboratory. Following instructions on the work request, the film may go to YOU'RE INVITED TO JOIN OUR SUBSCRIBER FAMILY! • To get all the news and features-in-depth about the latest and best in audiovisual tools and techniques, just fill in the convenient Reservation Form below and mail to us today: Yes, fnfer My Subscription to BUSINESS SCREEN MAGAZINE □ One Year (Eight Issues) $3.00 Name: n Two Years $5.00 Company: Position: Address: any of four motion picture processing machines or to the still photography laboratory where a Versamat RT-12 processes cut film. The RT-12 accepts cut film from 4 by 5 through 1 1 by 14 inch sizes, including 70mm. 100 foot lengths and nine-inch-wide aerial film. The four motion picture processors are: a black and white 7()mm Hi-Speed Processor, a combination 16mm and 35mm black and white negative machine, a 1 (Smm black and white reversal type processor and the combination 16/35/70nim color processor. Orders for work prints and masters coming from such areas as the Stock Film Library, editing section and the Public Affairs Office, are funneled through Production Control to the Library Section. Here are stored all optical masters of motion picture film developed for MSC. Only a limited number of technicians handle these originals and no scene is ever cut except at camera stop and camera start. This is protection against destroying historically \'aluable footage. Printing is done on Kodak Duplicating Film. Type 7386. using a (Bell and Howell) 16mm. Type C color additive printer. Correct City: Zone: State: n Check Enclosed □ Bill Company □ Bill Me Subscribers in Canada and abroad pay $4.00 a year; $7.00 for two years. MSC:s TOmm (Bell \ Howell) Type C conlimious color ;iclditi\c printer slioiin uilli ils /((() III (Ills. One (.v for I'lJi'i 2 pi rJDKilioiis; llic other fur iijpi 1. .\/.SC sincd cost of two complete printers Inj piinhtmu'^ two heads for this oiic maclUnc. color balance is achieved with a punched color timer tajie fed into I he printer. Irom the printer the exposed stock goes to processing and then to break-di»wn tables to be cut. canned and boxed for distribution by Production Control. The average person watching his television set after GT-4 was not aware that he was seeing an adjusteil version of Ed White's walk in space, says Holland. The original was stretch printed four to one on MSC's Acme Optical Printer so that it coulil be pri> t i jected at a normal spee-oji^ frames. The film was exp. Kodak SO 217) during i flight at six frames per si ing a 16mm electrically-<; quence camera. Custom-Buill TOmm Pi u An interesting piece ccij ment at the Technical La.rj: is its 70mm (Bell and an Type C, continuous coh"^with two film heads. MS designed, built and deli.c. become the first user of tl t ment. "MSC uses Type 2 tions on its 70mm film; other government branc exposed film to us with I perforations. Instead v two expensive printers. Wi.>flu, two heads and interchan; |i as required. All exposure on GT-3. 4 and 5 were Type 2 film." I 60 1 anks That Feed C hen:^ ID supply chemicals for" eration takes 60 stainl. tanks ranging from 15 to .0^ Ion capacities. Flow i simple by placing the a room on the second floor i Quality Control Section; _ forces the liquids from itt tanks through color-code rigid tubing to each moti ture and still processor ground floor. Shut-off valvi machines and sinks let o>t« adjust the flow to their qii ments. .Additional stainless stec tl are being installed to feedi I 1 6mm color motion pictu ( processor built for MSC b;RJ F!ngineering Company, desiit^ operate under Kodak's he standard — 100 degree of processing. The new pi.-o can run SO to KM) feet of ft color film per minute a use ECO-2 and ME-4 ( h Keeping I'p Uilh Spaci tf .'\s with the operation '1 photographic equipment aM technicians will jiraclice i processor until the\ beeor j ficient. At that time th' switch to the advanced lOOle; method. But this is only 1 tion of the overall plan piie for the Technical Laboraf] keep them abreast of Ar:ri growing space program. M enced leclinicians and th' ' modern techniques and eqi'r will be used in this effort one day in the not too is future — a package of c picture film and still photer; will be delivered markcil. ." \toon Mission.