Android Camera with Arduino Nano

For a University Project, we will be sending a small satellite up in a rocket. I was wondering if anyone had any advice on using an Android Camera, separated from the Phone, controlled by the Arduino Nano computer to take pictures. We are planning on having the computer tell the camera when to take the picture and then transmit the pictures to a ground station. Does anyone know if we can use the camera separate from the phone? I have heard something about a transmitter in the Camera, is there a built in one? Any advice on using the camera, or programming the Arduino Nano to send the signal to take a picture, is greatly appreciated!