AgCam - Sensors

JULY 17, 2009
See video footage of UND's Agricultural Camera being tested onboard the International Space Station.

NAME UPDATE: FEBRUARY 9, 2010
UND Starting Process to Change Name of Its Agricultural Scientific Camera on International Space Station.
Click for Press Release.

AgCam - Agricultural Camera

The University of North Dakota has sent its first scientific instrument into space. The Agricultural Camera (AgCam) launched into orbit on November 14, 2008 for installation aboard the International Space Station 400 kilometers (about 250 miles) above earth. The multi-spectral, Earth-observing camera, which will begin operations in early 2009, flew aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour on its 15-day mission to the station.

AgCam Menu

UPDATES
Updates on AgCam and ISS events, and links for more information from other sources.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions related to AgCam technical and usage information.
Overview
Read about AgCam's purpose, as well as targeted application areas.
Engineering
Educational benefits, the multi-disciplinary team approach, and electronic, structural, imaging, and telemetry systems.
Operations
Typical operations, needs-driven dynamics, and the NASA connection.
ISS
Background on the International Space Station, and the internal Window Observational Research Facility.
Launch Info
Launch prep details and scheduling delays.
Sign Up
Sign up to be an AgCam user, and get updates on system status.

History/Operation

Designed, created, integrated and operated by the students and faculty at the University of North Dakota, the AgCam project has been in the making since 2001. When the multispectral camera is installed aboard the International Space Station, it will relay high resolution images of Earth in almost real-time for use in agricultural and geological applications at the request of farmers, ranchers, foresters, natural resource managers, and tribal officials in the Upper Midwest Region.

AgCam SOC

The student-run Science Operations Center (SOC) at the University of North Dakota has been set up and will become operational in the coming months. From there, students will send commands to AgCam aboard the International Space Station to take photos and then process and deliver the images taken from space.

AgCam Integration

AgCam system operators are in the process of working with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) on the integration of the Science Operations Center (SOC) with NASA command centers. The team has held a series of simulations with NASA officials in preparation for the March, 2009 start of operations.