SOFIAStratospheric Observatoryfor Infrared Astronomy

1

Presented by:

SOFIA Program Manager Eddie Zavala

MAY 26, 2016

PROGRAM UPDATE

The SOFIA Observatory studies astronomical observations at wavelengths between 0.3 and 1000 microns

Presented to:

SOFIA Users Group (SUG) Meeting #9

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Recent Program Status

▪ Cycle 4 Science Flights are in progress, approximately 1/3 through the Cycle

▪ Program is making final preparations for deployment science flights in Christchurch, New Zealand

– 7 ½ week, 3 instrument deployment from June 4 – July 26, 2016

– Science instruments: upGREAT, FIFI-LS, and FORCAST

– 25 science flights planned

▪ 1st Generation Science Instrument Acceptance is Complete – FORCAST, January 2016

– FIFI-LS, April 2016

▪ 2nd Generation Science Instrument (HAWC+) commissioning flights started – Instrument delivered on February 2016

– 1st Commissioning Flight Series completed

– Temperature control issue to be addressed prior to next commissioning flight series in Fall 2016

▪ 3rd Generation Science Instrument solicitation – 2 Proposals in the Instrument Concept Phase, System Requirements Review completed in April 2016

– On track for SI Selection in September 2016

SUG #9

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SOFIA Top-Level Schedule

SUG #9

FY15 FY16 FY17 FY18 FY19

2015 2016 2017 2018

F M A M J J A S O N D J F M A M J J A S O N D J F M A M J J A S O N D J F M A M J J A S O N D J

L1 Milestone

L2 Milestone

Cycle Planning Event

Data Proccessing Event

Cycle

Observing Series

Deployed Observing Series

Commissioning SeriesResponse Periodor Data ReviewCycle Planning

Maintenance / Integration

4/29/16SOFIA Top Level Schedule

Annual Performance Indicator

Level 1 Milestones

Key Improvement Projects

1st Generation Instruments

2nd Generation Instrument (HAWC+)

3rd Generation Instrument

Observing Cycles

Cycle 1 & 2

Cycle 3

Observing Series

Cycle 4 Science Cycle Planning

Observing Series

Cycle 5 Science Cycle Planning

Observing Series

Cycle 6

Science Cycle Planning

Observing Series

Cycle 7 Science Cycle Planning

2/27

API FY15EXES Comm. Complete

8/23

API FY162nd Gen Comm. Flights Complete

7/5

API FY173rd Gen SI CDR Complete

10/1

L1-114Program Office

Transition

4/15

L1-116 1st Gen SI Comm

Acceptance Complete

5/31

L1-112Ready for RSSO& 1st Gen Full Sci

1/11

L1-1172nd Gen SI Comm

& Acceptance Complete

5/12

L1-1202nd Gen Full ScienceProductivity Achieved

L2-121All V&V

Complete

7/20

FLITECAM Accept.

9/30

EXESComm Rpt.

1/19

FORCASTAccept.

4/15

FIFI-LSAcc. FSI

5/31

FIFI-LSL3 Pipeline Comp

1/28

HAWC+Pre-ship

5/5

HAWC+Comm. Pt 1

8/23

HAWC+Comm. Pt 2

11/28

HAWC+Acc Review

1/11

HAWC+Accept.

5/12

HAWC+L3 Pipeline Comp

7/9

ROSESSolicitation

8/19

Phase 1Step 1 Prop.

10/7

Phase 1Step 2 Prop

2/2

Phase 2Study Start

7/19

Phase 2Submit Due

9/1

3rd GenSI Announce

11/1

3rd GenPDR

7/5

3rd GenCDR

10/1

3rd GenComm Flts 1

Cycle 3 Cycle 4 Cycle 5 Cycle 6

12/9

Cycle 1 All Data Public

6/23

Cycle 2 All L3 Cal

6/23

Cycle 2 All Data Public

3/2 1/29 6/23

All DataL3 Cal

6/23

All DataPublic

5/1

Call forProposal

7/10

ProposalsDue

9/2

TACsComplete

10/22

Selection Announce

1/14

ObservingPlan

2/1 2/2 2/14

All DataL3 Cal

2/14

All DataPublic

3/22

DraftCfP

4/29

Call forProposal

6/30

ProposalsDue

9/9

TACsComplete

10/7

Selection Announce

1/17

ObservingPlan

2/3 1/31 2/14

All DataL3 Cal

3/17

DraftCfP

5/1

Call forProposal

6/30

ProposalsDue

9/8

TACsComplete

10/6

Selection Announce

1/16

ObservingPlan

2/1

3/19

DraftCfP

4/30

Call forProposal

6/29

ProposalsDue

8/20

TACs Complete

10/5

Selection Announce

1/14

ObservingPlan

L1 Milestone

L2 Milestone

Cycle Planning Event

Data Proccessing Event

Cycle

Observing Series

Deployed Observing Series

Commissioning SeriesResponse Periodor Data ReviewCycle Planning

Maintenance / Integration

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Cycle 4 Daily Overview - 1 of 2

SUG #9

Observing cycle: 4 Planned science flights: 101 RHs*: 808 * Max available research hoursS Weekend day H US or German Holiday F Instr. Commissioning Flight F Observing Flight F Ferry/Maint./Non-Sci Flight F Educator on Flight F Return to Base (RTB) Flight7 (black text with no fill) 4 (day of week box H or GH w/ red fill) 6 (bold white text, purple fill, bold border) 6 (bold white text, blue fill, bold border) 6 (bold white text, green fill, bold border) 6 (white star on day of week) 6 (single slash through day and date)

F Work day F Line Operations F Contingency Instr. Comm. Flight F Contingency Obser. Flight F Contingency Ferry/Maint./Non-Sci Flt F Media/VIP on Flight F Canceled Flight6 (black text w/ day box grey fill) 6 (bold border) 6 (day box with purple fill) 6 (day box with blue fill) 6 (day box with green fill) 6 (yellow star on date) 6 (x through day and date)

F AFRC Regular Day Off F Possible Maint/Up. Check Flt F Deployment Observing Flights S Short Flight S Half Sci. & Half Ferry/Maint./Non-Sci ✓ Restored Flight U Notional Unfunded Flight6 (day and date shown in red) 6 (day and date box filled with lt. green) 6 (bold white text, light blue fill, bold border) 28 (colored fill only lower half, bold bdr.) 13 (two colored fill) (check mark below day) (yellow fill with U below day)

Key

Distributed: 20 May 2016

PMB sequence approval: March 2016

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Cycle 4 Daily Overview - 2 of 2

SUG #9

Observing cycle: 4 Planned science flights: 101 RHs*: 808 * Max available research hoursS Weekend day H US or German Holiday F Instr. Commissioning Flight F Observing Flight F Ferry/Maint./Non-Sci Flight F Educator on Flight F Return to Base (RTB) Flight7 (black text with no fill) 4 (day of week box H or GH w/ red fill) 6 (bold white text, purple fill, bold border) 6 (bold white text, blue fill, bold border) 6 (bold white text, green fill, bold border) 6 (white star on day of week) 6 (single slash through day and date)

F Work day F Line Operations F Contingency Instr. Comm. Flight F Contingency Obser. Flight F Contingency Ferry/Maint./Non-Sci Flt F Media/VIP on Flight F Canceled Flight6 (black text w/ day box grey fill) 6 (bold border) 6 (day box with purple fill) 6 (day box with blue fill) 6 (day box with green fill) 6 (yellow star on date) 6 (x through day and date)

F AFRC Regular Day Off F Possible Maint/Up. Check Flt F Deployment Observing Flights S Short Flight S Half Sci. & Half Ferry/Maint./Non-Sci ✓ Restored Flight U Notional Unfunded Flight6 (day and date shown in red) 6 (day and date box filled with lt. green) 6 (bold white text, light blue fill, bold border) 28 (colored fill only lower half, bold bdr.) 13 (two colored fill) (check mark below day) (yellow fill with U below day)

Key

Distributed: 20 May 2016

PMB sequence approval: March 2016

MCCSSI Rem

Eng LO MD Install Eng LO FLT (TBD)S M T W T F S S M T W T F S S H T W T F S S M T W T F S S M T W T F S21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24

Rem MD SI Install SI Install SI Rem SI Install SI Install SI Rem

S M T W T F S S GH T W T F S S H T W T F S S M T W T F S S M T W T F S25 26 27 28 29 30 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29

SI Rem.

S M T W T F S S M T W T H S S M T W T F S S M T W H F S S M T W T F S30 31 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 1 2 3

SI Rem

Eng LO MD InstallS M T W T F S S M T W T F S S M T W T F S S H T W T F S S H T W T F S4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

MCCS PMB Approved Cycle 5 Start

Eng LO FLT (TBD) MD Rem SI Rem. SI InstallS M T W T F S S H T W T F S S M T W T F S S M T W T F S S M T W T F S8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

August -- 2016 September -- 2016

HAWC+ Comm Pt 23 Commissioning Flights 5 Flights

3 Flights

Maintenance / Upgrades #11

OC#4 I FORCAST OC#4 J FLITECAM OC#4 K GREAT8 Flights

OC#4 H HAWC+

January -- 2017 Feburary -- 2017

9 Flights

December -- 2016 January -- 2017

Maintenance / Upgrades #12 OC#4 M EXES OC#5 A (TBD)SI Install 7 Flights

OC#4 L HAWC+

SI Install 14 flights

September -- 2016 October -- 2016

Maintenance / Upgrades #12

Oct -- 2016

OC#4 K GREAT

November -- 2016 Dec -- 2016

OC#4 L HAWC+Channel Swap SI Install 9 Flights

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Recent Program Status

▪ Cycle 5 Science Call for Proposal issued on April 29, 2016

▪ 63 total peer-reviewed publications as of May 2016

▪ Data processing commitments are being met with the exception of FIFI-LS

– FIFI-LS Data pipeline readiness and Water Vapor Monitor (WVM) calibration dependency continuing to be addressed, pipeline readiness anticipated in May 2016

▪ Program decision to establish IRSA as the SOFIA archive, transition planning in work

▪ SOFIA’s Budgetary Outlook is good – FY16 Budget appropriation restored current year budget to ~85M

– FY17 President’s Budget Request restores Program budget profile through 2021

– Program completed annual budget plan / submission in April 2016

SUG #9

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Recent Program Status

▪ Prioritized Improvement Projects to be completed within staffing and funding constraints – Water Vapor Monitor upgrade/data calibration procedure development

– HAWC+ SI

– Aircraft Communication System Upgrade (CPDLC)

– TA Power System re-design

– Gen3 SI

– Fuel Farm

– Cryo-cooler upgrade (needed to support approved upGREAT and 4GREAT upgrades through CY17)

– Others to be phased in as science priorities dictate and within budget/staffing constraints

▪ SOFIA External Council – SOFIA International Summit Charter completed/approved by NASA and DLR on May 24, 2016

– Membership being sought by DLR and NASA

– Introductory telecon to be done as soon as possible

– First meeting anticipated in September 2016

SUG #9

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SNOPAC SOFIA NASA Observatory & Program Assessment Council

Associate Administrator Science Mission Directorate

Astrophysics Division Director Deputy Division Director (Program Director)

Program Scientist Program Executive Program Analyst

SOFIA Program Manager Deputy Program Manager

Deputy Program Manager for Operations Program Chief Engineer

Project Scientist

Program Control Safety & Mission Assurance

Integration Office (Chaired by Chief Engineer)

Facility Scientist SE&I Lead

Operations Director Observatory Systems Director

Aircraft Ops

Public Engagement (USRA)

Science Mission Operations Director (USRA/DSI)

Science Ops (USRA)

Mission Ops (USRA)

Telescope Assembly Ops (DSI)

DLR Program Manager

SI Development (NASA/DSI/USRA)

Observatory Improvements (NASA/DSI/USRA)

Technology Demo (NASA/USRA)

SOFIA External Councils

NASA HQ SRB Reports to HQ GSSWG

German SOFIA Science Working Group

SOFIA International Summit

SPOT SOFIA Performance Optimization Team

SUG SOFIA Users

Group

Program Authority

NASA Activity

NASA Contractor Activity

Legend

DLR/DSI Activity

Shared or Cross-Cutting Activity

Science Oversight/CoordinationTechnical OversightExternal Boards / Councils

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Progress toward Science Productivity Goals

▪ A productive science investigation initiates with the response to a call for proposals ➢Goal: Achieve an over-subscription rate of 5 for the Cycle 5 Call for Proposals

➢Status: In progress. Awaiting Science Community response to CfP

▪ Availability of relevant scientific instruments ✓Goal: Complete acceptance of remaining 1st Generation facility-class science instruments

(FORCAST, FIFI-LS) by December 2015

✓Status: Completed in April 2016 ➢Goal: Complete 2nd Generation Science Instrument (HAWC+) Commissioning in Fall

2015

➢Status: In Progress. 1st Commission flights complete; temperature control issue to be addressed prior to 2nd Commissioning flight series in Fall 2016

➢Goal: Complete selection and project start of 3rd Generation Science Instrument in Fall 2016

➢Status: On track for instrument selection in September 2016

SUG #9

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Progress toward Science Productivity Goals

▪ Efficient and reliable flight opportunities ➢Goal: Sustain 3 flights per week with overall dispatch reliability of 90%; ~800 research

hours per year

➢Status: Capacity in place, dispatch rate below goal at ~84%

➢Goal: Provide 80% of planned annual research hours with an average of 8.0 research hours per flight

➢Status: Slightly behind goal, making use of contingency flights as mitigation

▪ Rapid production of science ready data from reliable and accurate pipeline software ➢Goal: Level 2 data processed and archived within 5 working days

➢Goal: Level 3 data processed and archived within 15 working days

➢Goal: On-time public release of all science data after 1-year proprietary period

➢Overall status: Data delivery commitments being met with the exception of FIFI-LS. Working to establish FIFI-LS data pipeline readiness in May 2016

SUG #9

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Progress toward Science Productivity Goals

▪ Sufficient funding to investigators for the analysis of the results ✓Goal: Sustain continued funding rate of ~$10K/hour ✓Status: Complete. Integrated into long-term Program Plan

▪ The publication and dissemination of unique and impactful science results and increased publication rate ➢Goal: Establish an average publication rate of 5-7 science papers per month

➢Status: Below goal. 10 science publications since last SUG meeting.

SUG #9