Japan's First Lunar Mission Hiten carried an optical navigation
camera called the Optical Navigation System (ONS). The ONS
consisted of a 384 by 490 pixel array. Since Hiten was spin
stablized, the ONS shifted the charge from pixel to pixel to
compensate for smear. The images were converted into a 4-bit
digital signal that was relayed to earth. The resolution of the
camera was about one arc minute. Due to the limits of its spin
compensation, small chip size, and 4-bit imagery, the images the
ONS obtained were useful only for navigation. However, the ONS
was used during the final plunge to the lunar surface, making
for a Ranger-esque kamikaze sequence, although the quality is
much poorer. The white dot marks the impact point. The view has
been colorized. Below is an animation of the made from the
sequence. Hiten/ONS Data Courtesy JAXA. Processed Version
Copyright Ted Stryk