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Student Engineers  UND students and faculty working with NASA engineers and astronauts to test AgCam at the Space Station Mockup Facility, NASA Johnson Space Center. NASA Office of Education
The organization that is sponsoring AgCam for launch and on-orbit operations onboard the ISS is the NASA Office of Education. The tangible educational benefit to the UND campus that has resulted so far is significant. To date over 40 undergraduate and graduate students have contributed to AgCam development, either via academic achievements or through the development of degree-related work skills. A total of 11 AgCam graduate-level theses or projects have been successfully completed, with additional projects underway.Education Benefits
Beyond the measurable educational benefits, though, are intangible returns to all involved. Students have had numerous opportunities to meet and work with NASA engineers and crew members. Faculty gain experience with the practicalities of space flight projects and have brought those lessons learned into the classroom to extend AgCam benefits to other students. Via local media coverage and UMAC annual meetings, end users and the general public have been exposed to the potential for NASA to bring practical benefit to the region. Educational returns are anticipated to continue and grow as AgCam moves towards launch and operations.Multi-Disciplinary Teams
Engineering development of AgCam has been accomplished through a multi-disciplinary and inter-disciplinary team approach. Students are responsible for their own individual contributions, yet must accomplish their original research only within the context and constraints of the integrated system. Inter-related topics have included:
Main AgCam Components Designed for WORF
AgCam is a multi-spectral camera destined for use on the ISS as a sub-rack payload of the Window Observational Research Facility (WORF). As shown below, primary AgCam system components include an Imaging System Assembly, a Base Mount Pointing Assembly, a Power/Data Controller, associated cabling and support items, and a NASA-supplied A31p Laptop and power supply.
 Computer model illustration of primary AgCam components installed inside the WORF internal volume. The Imaging System Assembly is connected to the Base Mount Pointing Assembly, which is affixed to the WORF Payload Support Shelf. Interface cables lead to the Power Data Controller, an A31p Laptop, and power supply. Electronics and Structural Systems
The Base Mount Pointing Assembly provides a solid mounting to the internal WORF payload support shelf, and incorporates a slide mechanism to facilitate crew setup and activation. An integral gearbox and controller points the lens assembly up to 30 degrees cross-track. Inside the Power/Data Controller, frame grabber cards within a PC expander bus collect imagery from the cameras and forward it to AgCam software running in a standard ISS A31p Laptop connected via a PCMCIA cable. A built-in power converter individually powers on the controller and cameras. AgCam Imaging System
 Beamsplitter A single 300 mm lens and optical beam splitter supply light to two digital line-scan cameras, each with its own filter, red (630-690 nm) and near infrared (780-890 nm). Commanding and Telemetry
Nominally all payload operations are commanded via ground uplink. Commands are stored in an on-board command queue and executed based on system time supplied by the ISS. Imagery is collected via the low-rate payload LAN and is downlinked by the ISS in both real-time and onboard recorder playback modes.Alternate Configuration  Agcam Alt-config. In case further delays occur in launching of the WORF, the AgCam team is in the process of designing additional components for an AgCam Alternate Configuration. Such an Alt-Config will allow AgCam to be mounted solidly to the US Laboratory Window, while connecting to power and data ports elsewhere within the Destiny main cabin. |