In Science and Space: On November 16, NASA launched its most powerful rocket to date into space. With 24 cameras on board, all pre-programmed to capture the most important aspects of the mission, it is hoped that its success will one day translate into a manned mission to Mars.

In a blog post on NASA’s website (opens in a new tab), Erika Peters explains where and why there are so many cameras installed inside and outside the spacecraft. Each camera is carefully designed to capture specific activities and is positioned accordingly.

NASA’s Space Launch System is NASA’s most powerful rocket and will next month travel more than 40,000 miles beyond the moon and back to Earth. During the mission, called Artemis 1, 24 onboard cameras will record the rocket’s landing, take-off and external conditions while providing unprecedented views of the earth and moon.

There are four cameras attached to each wing of the solar array to monitor the deployment of the solar arrays and the general condition of the spacecraft. Four more cameras are attached to the engine facing the Orion spacecraft, two will record the propeller separation, and two cameras attached to the launcher’s transducer will record core separation. These eight cameras will be carefully pre-programmed with the set sequence and used during startup and ascent.