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At least 19 records

Space Infrared Telescope Facility (SIRTF) - Operations concept

The development and operations costs of the Space IR Telescope Facility (SIRTF) are discussed in the light of minimizing total outlays and optimizing efficiency. The development phase cannot extend into the post-launch segment which is planned to only support system verification and calibration followed by operations with a 70-percent efficiency goal. The importance of reducing the ground-support staff is demonstrated, and the value of the highly sensitive observations to the general astronomical community is described. The Failure Protection Algorithm for the SIRTF is designed for the 5-yr lifetime and the continuous venting of cryogen, and a science driven ground/operations system is described. Attention is given to balancing cost and performance, prototyping during the development phase, incremental development, the utilization of standards, and the integration of ground system/operations with flight system integration and test.

Miller, Richard B.↗

Operating SIRTF for maximum lifetime

The instruments of the Space Infrared Telescope Facility (SIRTF) are cooled directly by liquid helium, while the optical system is cooled by helium vapor. The greater the power dissipation into the liquid helium, the more vapor is produced, and the colder the telescope. Observations at shorter wavelengths do not require telescope temperatures as low as those required at longer wavelengths. By taking advantage of this, it may be possible to extend the helium and mission lifetime by 10% or even 20%.

cryogenics↗

SIRTF Science Operations System Design

SIRTF Science Operations System Design William B. Green Manager, SIRTF Science Center California Institute of Technology M/S 310-6 1200 E. California Blvd., Pasadena CA 91125 (626) 395 8572 Fax (626) 568 0673 bgreen@ipac.caltech.edu. The Space Infrared Telescope Facility (SIRTF) will be launched in December 2001, and perform an extended series of science observations at wavelengths ranging from 20 to 160 microns for five years or more. The California Institute of Technology has been selected as the home for the SIRTF Science Center (SSC). The SSC will be responsible for evaluating and selecting observation proposals, providing technical support to the science community, performing mission planning and science observation scheduling activities, instrument calibration during operations and instrument health monitoring, production of archival quality data products, and management of science research grants. The science payload consists of three instruments delivered by instrument Principal Investigators located at University of Arizona, Cornell, and Harvard Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory. The SSC is responsible for design, development, and operation of the Science Operations System (SOS) which will support the functions assigned to the SSC by NASA. The SIRTF spacecraft, mission profile, and science instrument design have undergone almost ten years of refinement. SIRTF development and operations activities are highly cost constrained. The cost constraints have impacted the design of the SOS in several ways. The Science Operations System has been designed to incorporate a set of efficient, easy to use tools which will make it possible for scientists to propose observation sequences in a rapid and automated manner. The use of highly automated tools for requesting observations will simplify the long range observatory scheduling process, and the short term scheduling of science observations. Pipeline data processing will be highly automated and data-driven, utilizing a variety of tools developed at JPL, the instrument development teams, and Space Telescope Science Institute to automate processing. An incremental ground data system development approach has been adopted, featuring periodic deliveries that are validated with the flight hardware throughout the various phases of system level development and testing. This approach minimizes development time and decreases operations risk. This paper will describe the top level architecture of the SOS and the basic design concepts. A summary of the incremental development approach will be presented. Examples of the unique science user tools now under final development prior to the first proposal call scheduled for mid-2000 will be shown.

Green, William↗

The SIRTF Science Operations System

This paper describes the role and function of the SSC, the architecture of the SOS, and discusses the major SOS subsystems. Examples of products generated by the SOS are included.

science↗

Study of application of space telescope science operations software for SIRTF use

The design and development of the Space Telescope Science Operations Ground System (ST SOGS) was evaluated to compile a history of lessons learned that would benefit NASA's Space Infrared Telescope Facility (SIRTF). Forty-nine specific recommendations resulted and were categorized as follows: (1) requirements: a discussion of the content, timeliness and proper allocation of the system and segment requirements and the resulting impact on SOGS development; (2) science instruments: a consideration of the impact of the Science Instrument design and data streams on SOGS software; and (3) contract phasing: an analysis of the impact of beginning the various ST program segments at different times. Approximately half of the software design and source code might be useable for SIRTF. Transportability of this software requires, at minimum, a compatible DEC VAX-based architecture and VMS operating system, system support software similar to that developed for SOGS, and continued evolution of the SIRTF operations concept and requirements such that they remain compatible with ST SOGS operation.

Dignam, F.↗

Efficient computer algorithms for infrared astronomy data processing

Data processing techniques to be studied for use in infrared astronomy data analysis systems are outlined. Only data from space based telescope systems operating as survey instruments are considered. Resulting algorithms, and in some cases specific software, will be applicable for use with the infrared astronomy satellite (IRAS) and the shuttle infrared telescope facility (SIRTF). Operational tests made during the investigation use data from the celestial mapping program (CMP). The overall task differs from that involved in ground-based infrared telescope data reduction.

Pelzmann, R. F., Jr.↗

Space infrared telescope facility wide field and diffraction limited array camera (IRAC)

The wide-field and diffraction limited array camera (IRAC) is capable of two-dimensional photometry in either a wide-field or diffraction-limited mode over the wavelength range from 2 to 30 microns with a possible extension to 120 microns. A low-doped indium antimonide detector was developed for 1.8 to 5.0 microns, detectors were tested and optimized for the entire 1.8 to 30 micron range, beamsplitters were developed and tested for the 1.8 to 30 micron range, and tradeoff studies of the camera's optical system performed. Data are presented on the performance of InSb, Si:In, Si:Ga, and Si:Sb array detectors bumpbonded to a multiplexed CMOS readout chip of the source-follower type at SIRTF operating backgrounds (equal to or less than 1 x 10 to the 8th ph/sq cm/sec) and temperature (4 to 12 K). Some results at higher temperatures are also presented for comparison to SIRTF temperature results. Data are also presented on the performance of IRAC beamsplitters at room temperature at both 0 and 45 deg angle of incidence and on the performance of the all-reflecting optical system baselined for the camera.

Fazio, Giovanni G.↗

Superfluid-supercritical helium tradeoff analysis for the Shuttle Infrared Telescope Facility (SIRTF)

A comparative study is made of three methods for obtaining the required cooling of the SIRTF. The first is a supercritical helium system in which the 2 K temperatures are obtained by a Joule-Thomson expander; the second is a superfluid (He II) helium system; and the third is a hybrid system in which supercritical helium provides the major cooling and small He II reservoirs supply specific detector cooling. The superfluid helium system is found to offer superior performance; it would be the system to use if funding were available. The comparative study gives equal weight to performance, operations, and cost. From this point of view, the hybrid system is selected as the best compromise to obtain an operational SIRTF.

Gier, H. L.↗

Space Infrared Telescope Facility/Multimission Modular Spacecraft Attitude Control System conceptual design

A control system utilizing the Multi-mission Modular Spacecraft (MMS) Attitude Control System (ACS) was developed and analyzed for the Space Infrared Telescope Facility (SIRTF) spacecraft. Alternative torquer augmentation schemes were studied to determine viable ACS approaches. A control law was developed to use a dual set of single-axis Control Moment Gyros (CMGs) for two-axis control. Flexible structural models were developed using a high fidelity, flight tested NASTRAN model of the MMS, coupled with a NASTRAN model of the SIRTF telescope. Modal significance criteria were employed to reduce the structural model. Multivariable interactive techniques were used to synthesize the control system (including the structural filters). Control system performance for the SIRTF operational modes (quiescent inertial hold, slewing, nodding, and rastering) was then determined using both single-axis and three-axis simulations). The control system described met performance requirements for all modes but the raster with the use of CMGs. The raster performance was limited by the structural flexibility.

Class, Brian F.↗

Servicing operations for the SIRTF Observatory at the Space Station

This paper describes the servicing requirements, plans, and proposed Space Station-based servicing operations for the Space Infrared Telescope Facility (SIRTF) Observatory. SIRTF is a cryogenically-cooled, long-life, one meter class space telescope which will be operated by NASA as a free-flying observatory for infrared astronomy, in the mid-1990's. To achieve its 5-year lifetime requirement (10 year goal), SIRTF must be replenished periodically with cryogenic helium and have its life-limited modular subsystems replaced; capability for contingency repair of warm components will also be provided in the Observatory design. A general description of the SIRTF Observatory is given, including options for the support systems (spacecraft). The overall servicing philosophy and plans are addressed with scheduling and needed support elements described. A proposed Space Station-based servicing scenario is described, including orbital transfer, servicing and checkout operations. A detailed description and timeline for liquid helium replenishment operations is provided, including a conceptual design and technology development program for the cryogenic helium transfer dewar (tanker). Finally, a preliminary SIRTF spares/logistics philosophy is outlined, including tradeoffs to be considered.

Wiltsee, Christopher B.↗

The Spitzer science operations system : how well are we really doing?

This paper will describe how the SIRTF Science Operation System has performed since launch, and how the system has been adapted based upon in-flight performance. It will also discuss lessons learned which can be applied to future science operation systems. This work was performed at the California Institute of Technology under contract to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

Spitzer Space Telescope↗

Registered File Support for Critical Operations Files at (Space Infrared Telescope Facility) SIRTF

The SIRTF Science Center's (SSC) Science Operations System (SOS) has to contend with nearly one hundred critical operations files via comprehensive file management services. The management is accomplished via the registered file system (otherwise known as TFS) which manages these files in a registered file repository composed of a virtual file system accessible via a TFS server and a file registration database. The TFS server provides controlled, reliable, and secure file transfer and storage by registering all file transactions and meta-data in the file registration database. An API is provided for application programs to communicate with TFS servers and the repository. A command line client implementing this API has been developed as a client tool. This paper describes the architecture, current implementation, but more importantly, the evolution of these services based on evolving community use cases and emerging information system technology.

file management services↗