Schneider-Kreuznach Lens Supports Optical Navigation For NASA's Artemis Missions

BAD KREUZNACH, Germany, August 24, 2026 – Multiple ruggedized lenses from Schneider-Kreuznach are integrated into the Optical Navigation (OpNav) camera system aboard NASA’s Orion spacecraft. The lenses support navigation and imaging functions for the Artemis lunar exploration program and have successfully performed during Artemis I and Artemis II. They will continue to be used in the OpNav system for upcoming missions, including Artemis III.

The Orion Camera System, developed by Redwire in cooperation with Lockheed Martin, supports spacecraft operations through monitoring, public imaging and optical navigation. Mounted on the exterior of the Orion crew module, the system captures images of the Earth and star field during flight.

These images are processed to determine the spacecraft’s position and trajectory during its journey to and from the moon. For this purpose, the camera system uses a monochrome 5.3-megapixel sensor combined with a customized Schneider-Kreuznach TOURMALINE 2.0/35 C lens, formerly known as APO-Xenoplan 35.

The lens was originally qualified for space conditions during Artemis I, where it supported the validation of Orion’s optical navigation capability. Based on this performance, the system has been retained for continued use in subsequent Artemis missions, including Artemis II.

Spaceflight places specific requirements on optical systems. Components must maintain alignment and imaging performance under launch vibration, mechanical stress, thermal variation, and vacuum conditions. The lens design was adapted to ensure mechanical stability of the optical elements across these environments.

Beyond its navigation function, the OpNav camera has captured detailed images of Earth and the Moon, including rarely seen views of the Moon's far side. These images support system validation and provide additional mission data for analysis.

Note to Editors:

• Image Caption: The Moon, captured by Orion's optical navigation camera using a customized Schneider-Kreuznach TOURMALINE 2.0/35 C lens during NASA's Artemis I mission. (Credit: NASA)

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About the Schneider Group:

The Schneider Group is specialized in the development, production and manufacturing of high-performance lenses as well as optical filters for the industrial, film and photo sectors. The main brand "Schneider-Kreuznach" stands for leading technology from Germany for decades. Our applications in industry include optical inspection and 3D measurement. In the film industry, we have won the Scientific and Technical Award (so-called „technology Oscar“) with our products, and photographers worldwide appreciate our B+W filters.

The Schneider Group includes Jos. Schneider Optische Werke GmbH, founded in Bad Kreuznach in 1913, the subsidiary of the same name in Singapore, and the companies Schneider Optics (New York, Los Angeles), Schneider Optical Technologies (Shenzhen) and Schneider Asia Pacific (Hong Kong). The Schneider Group employs around 220 employees worldwide, 200 of them work at the German headquarter.