WORF) Rack Is a Unique Facility Designed for Use with the US Lab Destiny Module Research Quality Window

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Overview + Home The Window Observational Research Facility ( WORF) Rack is a unique facility designed for use with the US Lab Destiny Module research quality window.

WORF will provide valuable resources for Earth Science payloads along with serving the purpose of protecting the lab window. The facility can be used for remote sensing instrumentation test and validation in a shirt + Capabilities sleeve environment. WORF payloads will be able to conduct terrestrial + Components studies utilizing the data collected from utilizing WORF and the lab window. + Features + Scientific Investigations WORF not only provides the necessary access to the window itself but also the power, data, cooling and mounting connections required for science instruments to operate. + Science & Mission Systems + Vision For Exploration The Window Observational Research Facility is available for + Watch NASA TV International Space Station National Laboratory payload usage. + Marshall Space Flight Center + Want to work at NASA? Visit: International Space Station National Laboratory

“The Window Observational Research Facility (WORF) and Remote Sensing From the International Space Station." - This video that describes the remote sensing capabilities of the International Space Station (ISS) utilizing the United States Laboratory "Destiny" module science window and the Window Observational Research Facility (WORF).

ISS WORF Video (Part 1 of 2)

ISS WORF Video (Part 2 of 2)

WORF Patch Description

For more information, please contact: MSFC WORF Project Manager: Sean Thompson (256) 544-5592 sean.thompson@nasa.gov

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Capabilities + Home The U.S. Destiny Laboratory on ISS features an Earth observation window with the highest quality optics ever flown on a human occupied spacecraft. Images from space have many applications: e.g., they can be used to study global climates, land and sea formations, crop weather damage and health assessments. Special sensors can also provide important data regarding transient atmospheric and geologic phenomena (hurricanes and volcanic eruptions), as well as a test bed for collecting data for new sensor technology development.

+ Capabilities + Components + Features + Scientific Investigations

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The WORF design uses existing EXpedite the PRocessing of Experiments to Space Station (EXPRESS) Rack hardware which includes a Rack Interface Controller box for power and data connection, Avionics Air Assembly fan for air circulation within the rack, rack fire detection, and appropriate avionics to communicate with the ISS data network. The WORF will maximize the use of this window by providing sensors (cameras, multispectral and hyper-spectral scanners, camcorders and other instruments) to capture imagery of the Earth and space. WORF also provides attachment points for power and data transfer and the capability for multiple instruments to be mounted and used in the window simultaneously. WORF will include a means of preventing the formation of condensation on the interior surface of the window and a retractable bump shield to protect the interior window surface from impacts of loose tools and hardware being used in the payload area during the set-up and changeout of sensor packages by the crew. The interior of the WORF provides a non-reflective, light-tight environment to minimize stray reflections and glare off the window allowing use to payloads that are sensitive to extremely low energy phenomena such as auroras. An opaque fabric shroud can be attached to the front of the rack to allow crew members to work in the WORF without the problem of glare from the U.S. Lab interior lights.

The high quality optical window is located on the nadir (Earth facing) side of the U.S. Destiny laboratory module. The window provides a view of 39.5 degrees forward along the axis of the ISS, 32.2 degrees aft, and a total of 79.1 degrees from starboard to port.

The window is 508 cm (20 in) in diameter. The window is made up of an assembly of four separate panes. The outermost pane is a replaceable debris pane a little more than 1.0 cm (one third of an inch) thick. It is designed to protect the window from small orbital debris or micrometeoroids that might strike the station. If it is severely damaged, it can be replaced during an EVA. The two middle panes serve as the primary and secondary pressure windows, ensuring that the laboratory module stays pressurized. Each of these panes is 3.2 cm (1-1/4 in) thick. The innermost pane, a multi-layer scratch pane, is a little less than a 1.7 cm (half-inch) thick. The scratch pane has an integral heater element to prevent condensation from forming on the pressure panes, and has a special anti-scratch coating that protects against accidental bumps from camera lenses and other equipment during set-up work inside the WORF rack. Although the scratch pane can support normal photography, it is often necessary to remove the scratch pane during the operation of other high-resolution sensors. When the scratch pane is removed, the WORF provides a deployable metal and acrylic bump shield to protect the primary pressure panes while equipment is set up in front of the window. When the sensors are ready for use and the interior of the WORF rack has been secured with a hatch cover, the bump shield can be retracted using controls on the outside of the WORF rack, giving the cameras/sensors a clear view through the window to the Earth below. When the scratch pane (and its heater element) is removed, the WORF rack provides a variable air flow across the window to prevent condensation.

When the WORF is not in use, when visiting spacecraft are docking with the ISS, or when the window is exposed to orbital ram conditions during special orientations of the ISS, the research lab window is protected by a metal cover on the outside of the Destiny lab module. This external window shutter pivots on hinges and is rotated open and closed by the crew using controls on the WORF rack.

Components + Home The WORF design uses existing EXpedite the PRocessing of Experiments to Space Station (EXPRESS) Rack hardware which includes: a Rack Interface Controller (RIC), the command and control interface for rack subsystems; the Payload Ethernet Hub/Bridge (PEHB), the Ethernet interface to payloads; the EXPRESS Memory Unit (EMU),the solid state memory device (320 MB) used for System software files, and Configuration files; and the Solid State Power Controller Module (SSPCM) which provides 120 VDC output to the RIC, AAA fan, PEHB, and Area Smoke Detector, and which converts 120 VDC to 28 VDC for payloads. + Capabilities + Components + Features + Scientific Investigations

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Features + Home WORF is available for scientific and commercial payloads.

WORF will also be a resource for public outreach and educational opportunities for Earth Sciences (e.g., the EarthKAM, etc.). The resulting images can be used to study global climates, land and sea formations, and map routes for city planners. Special sensors can also provide important data-for example, atmospheric conditions or properties as well as data for + Capabilities new sensor technology development. + Components + Features WORF provides a facility by which remotely operated payloads and crew members can + Scientific Investigations perform Earth/space science research, including hand held photography, at the US Lab Science Window. + Science & Mission Systems + Vision For Exploration + Watch NASA TV WORF is based on an International Standard Payload Rack (ISPR) and utilizes avionics and + Marshall Space Flight Center hardware adapted from the EXPRESS Rack program. + Want to work at NASA?

The rack provides a payload volume equivalent to 0.8 m3, and will be able to support up to 3 payloads simultaneously, depending on available resources and space available at the window.

WORF will also provide access and equipment for crew-Earth observations, such as crew restraints and camera/camcorder brackets, and condensation prevention.

The spectral properties of the window support remote sensing work. The reflective coating on the window absorbs UV radiation, but transmittance rises rapidly after 304 nm to > 90% in the visible and into the near infrared. Transmittance tails off after 800 nm, reaching zero at approximately 2600 nm.

Corning Inc., Corning, N.Y., provided glass capable of supporting viewing with high-resolution telescopes. The glass panes were polished to a fine finish by Zygo Corp., Middlefield, Conn. The panes were coated by Optical Coating Lab Inc., Santa Rosa, Calif., with anti-reflection chemicals that block ultra-violet radiation from the sun. The coating also is electro-conductive to cut down on condensation. The glass is homogenous, free of color, been polished very smoothly and is flat. In addition, for extra protection, the outermost panel has a clamshell-like protective aluminum cover that can be closed from inside the station.