ESC

ESC files are single banded black and white electronic still camera 
images with no header.  They are 1024 rows by 1024 pixels (columns) with 
8 bits/pixel giving 256 shades of gray.

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Electronic Still Camera (ESC) Digital Imagery

The method for producing these image files was engineered by Johnson Space
Center personnel in support of Manned Space Flight.  Digital files enable
astronauts to download high resolution still images to ground support
personnel while astronauts are still in orbit. The ESC camera has a 1,024
by 1,024 array that takes the place of film as the storage media.  The
front end of the camera uses a full complement of lenses and filters that
any other Nikon F4 is able to use.  The image files are sent to the ground
by using the Space Shuttle's digital downlink system and the KU band
antenna.  Files not downlinked are stored on 40Mb diskettes. 

Any questions about this data may be directed to Environment Remote Sensing
Analysis Facility (ERSAF) personnel at NASA/JSC; phone 713-483-5162.