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Loss of Columbia Shuttle Delays
The loss of Space Shuttle Columbia in February 2003 forced a hiatus in construction of the ISS while problems with foam insulation shedding from the External Tank were resolved. The launches of many scientific experiments to the ISS, including AgCam, have also been delayed.
Waiting for WORF
Assembly of ISS resumed with the launch of STS-115 in September 2006. The Window Observational Research Facility (WORF), within which AgCam was designed to operate, was originally slated for launch on the next shuttle after Columbia. However priorities for other systems and assembly schedule recovery have delayed WORF as well; it is also not yet on orbit.A Moving Target Both AgCam and WORF are candidates for launch aboard a mission known as Utility Logistics Flight #2 (ULF-2), which is currently slated for launch as shuttle flight STS-126 in December of 2008. However, the anticipated launch date for WORF and AgCam has changed several times. More certainty can only be expected once AgCam is delivered to the Kennedy Space Center, which will be about 6 months prior to launch. If launch of AgCam is not further delayed, operations of AgCam will commence during Space Station Expedition 18. AgCam Alt-Config Should launch of the WORF be delayed any further, AgCam has now developed an Alternate Configuration which will allow AgCam to operate for a short while without WORF, albeit with reduced capabilities. |
 Launch of Space Shuttle S115 (Sep 2006) |