NASA Astronaut Don Pettit Demonstrates the Coolest Camera Lens Swap in Space

Don Pettit has done it again! Not only is the NASA astronaut wowing Earthlings with stunning photos from his current home aboard the International Space Station (ISS), but now he’s giving us a behind-the-scenes look at how photography works in microgravity. In a video shared on X, Pettit demonstrates a lens change like no other—taking full advantage of the station’s unique environment.

Back on Earth, changing a lens can often be tricky, requiring precision and sometimes more hands than you have. But up in orbit, Pettit has mastered the art of the lens swap in microgravity. In the video (below), we see him effortlessly handling a floating camera with an attached lens, alongside a second lens, which is also floating nearby.

First, Pettit removes the lens from the camera and simply lets it float in place. Next, he detaches the rear cap from the second lens and attaches it to the camera body, which he then sets adrift in front of him. Finally, Pettit grabs the original lens, secures the rear lens cap, and returns it to its floating position. Lens swap complete!

How to change a camera lens…… pic.twitter.com/JUujYAYSiI
— Don Pettit (@astro_Pettit) January 18, 2025

Beyond his remarkable photography skills, Pettit has been hard at work conducting experiments during his six-month mission aboard the ISS. He’s also been sharing breathtaking images and footage of Earth and space.
One of his most recent posts featured a unique perspective of Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket during its historic first launch. Pettit explained how he set up several cameras in the station’s Cupola—a seven-window module with panoramic views—to capture the event.
“To photograph New Glenn, I set up three cameras with wide-angle lenses in the Cupola, figuring one would catch its exo-atmospheric trajectory,” Pettit shared in another post.
To photograph New Glenn, I set up three cameras with wide angle lens in the Cupola, figuring one would catch its exo-atmospheric trajectory. pic.twitter.com/412gvfnW84
— Don Pettit (@astro_Pettit) January 19, 2025

Pettit’s ability to innovate and capture stunning visuals in space continues to inspire. Whether it’s an ingenious lens swap or a perfectly timed rocket photo, he’s proving that even in microgravity, creativity knows no bounds.
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