A Window on the Earth:
Earth Sciences from the International Space Station and
The Window Observational Research Facility (WORF): Instrument Support System

A rack system to be installed around the window was approved in February 1998. It provides attachment points, power and data transfer capability for instruments to be mounted in the window. Multiple instruments can be mounted at the same time. The racks are designed to allow rapid changes of equipment by the crew without the need to find and use tools in a microgravity environment. The WORF will have available a bracket for small cameras such as 35 mm, 70 mm and camcorders. Other payoads which are larger, require a nonstandard attachment, or require additional instrument isolation must supply their own brackets or platforms which mount to the WORF using the attachment points.

Schematic of the components of the WORF. (2001 drawing courtesy of Boeing)	Schematic of the darkening shroud, large payload configuration. (2001 drawing courtesy of Boeing)	Schematic of the darkening shroud, small payload configuration. (2001 drawing courtesy of Boeing)
View toward the window with WORF installed. (1998 drawing courtesy of Boeing)	Bump shield in deployed and stowed position. (2001 drawing courtesy of Boeing)