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Universities Space Research Association

SOFIA Program Options

SSSC18 February 2010

Mina CappuccioSOFIA Science Project Manager

NASA Ames Research Center

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Universities Space Research Association

SOFIA Program Options

• Options are things that can be done to get science as early as possible.– During segment 2: Short Science and Basic Science using an

Early Science platform configuration– During segment 3: FOC configuration for commissioning first

generation instruments and performing shared purpose science

• Options get discussed among all SOFIA team members, get vetted for viability, and approved to implement through the Program Management Board (PMB).

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Universities Space Research Association

Option for Segment 2

• Move TA Characterization/First Light Flight Earlier In Schedule– To achieve science earlier and understand TA capabilities sooner.– Move TA Characterization/First Light Flight after Open Door with TA @ 23 deg

(and TA misalignment flight) but before FORCAST Line Ops #1– No configuration change prior to flight

• Open Door Configuration, which includes MCCS Open Door Final Build

• TA operational (coarse and fine drive)

• URD open

• CECS pre-dry

• Science Instrument on board (FORCAST)

• Predefined flight plan

• Mission Operation crew

• SI crew

– Follow flight with data analysis in parallel with Line Ops #1 with EB4. This also allows more time to get EB4 working.

• Plan to get EB5 for FORCAST Line Ops #1

• Addresses issues and additional capabilities needed

– This requires clearing the envelope right after flights for staff to be on board during the TA Characterization/First Light Flight, instead of after data analysis period

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Universities Space Research Association

Segment 2 Program Critical Work Flow

Reflects Option 1 PMB decision for TA Characterization / First Light ahead of FORCAST Line Ops #1. IMS update based on Platform re-plan drop. DFRC management reviewing for other adjustments.

TA Characterization

2010TA Misalignment

(daytime)

  Science Flight   Platform Flight  TA Flight  Ground Testing  Data Analysis  Contingency Flight

Created 2/2/2010

ISF

TA Characterization/First Light attempt

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Universities Space Research Association

Option for Segment 3

• Program working mitigation approaches for longer-term schedule– Established a separate Segment 3 planning and schedule development team– Evaluating several shorter downtimes vs. 1 extended downtime in Segment 3

• Science Project provided inputs at meeting with Program and Platform Project on instrument commissioning requirements to help determine capabilities needed at start of segment 3 flights

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Universities Space Research Association

7. Cavity Cooling? ≈ 2 months? B 8. Coordinate Transform Updates*9. CDDS upgrades? = 2 months**10. AIU wiring start?11. DAS wiring start?12. MADS upgrades (Alarms/Alerts)

1. Avionics Upgrade ≈ 3 months A2. RVSM 3-4 weeks? A3. TA Upgrades ≈ 2 months A?4. WVM ≈ 2 weeks B5. Insulation ≈ 2 months off a/c C6. Mirror Coating ≈ 2-3 months C

1. Cavity Cooling? (finish?)2. AIU (MCCS) ≈ 2 months A3. FMI (MCCS) ≈ 1 month A4. DAS (MCCS) ≈ 3 months A5. Workstations (MCCS) A

Conceptual Segment 3Downtime Restructure

2011

2012

2012

2013

2013

2014

LOC

FOC

  Observing Flights  Instrument Commissioning  Aircraft maintenance/Observatory upgrade  Platform flights

1. Coordinate Transform Updates2. EPO3. CDDS and CECS upgrades

•Get Science data to the community earlier (SSPC recommendation)•Maintains Program momentum•Provides addition risk margin for downtimes

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Universities Space Research Association

Summary

• Science Project working very closely with Program and Platform Project to come up with options to allow science to happen as early as possible

• Ames Research Center providing technical help to Platform Project to execute installations and testing on Platform