LLAMAS is adapted to mount near the front hatch window substituting a mobility aid. The camera unit stands out as the first non-SpaceX-built hardware positioned inside a Dragon capsule. This achievement was shaped by frequent collaboration, with weekly sessions held between our team and SpaceX representatives. STL students have done several trips to the SpaceX headquarters, where they had the opportunity to test the unit within a Dragon capsule simulator. Through this process, we gained invaluable insights from SpaceX engineers, ultimately determining the most effective way to secure the camera inside the capsule.

The camera is designed to offer a panoramic 180-degree view of spacewalk activities from inside the capsule, capturing moments like the hatch opening and astronauts transitioning into the vastness of space. Moreover, the footage it captures isn't just for observational purposes. Thanks to its stereoscopic imaging capabilities, people on Earth can enjoy a near-authentic spacewalk experience using virtual reality (VR) headsets. During a recent interaction with the Polaris Dawn crew, the STL students showcased the 3D VR software for this purpose.

Beyond merely capturing the spacewalk, the LLAMAS camera plays a pivotal role in data acquisition. It will monitor and report on SpaceX's pioneering spacesuit designs, used to safeguard astronauts during extravehicular activities (EVA). The unit's thermal imaging will track the surface temperatures of these suits, while an integrated dosimeter will gather data on radiation levels - a significant concern in human spaceflight.

As we approach next year's launch, there's a rigorous path ahead for the LLAMAS camera. It must undergo a series of tests to ensure its safety and resilience against space's demanding conditions, including vibration, vacuum, and temperature cycle tests. Concurrently, the team is in the final stages of refining the camera's software.