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MEIDEX – Operational Philosophy

MEIDEX – Operational Philosophy. IAF Space Branch Major Meir Moalem. Problem. Dust storms are random events …So are sprites Abundance is different throughout the year ROIs are limited Airplane location - another constraint. Solution. Define “rigid” ROIs Have a valid forecast

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MEIDEX – Operational Philosophy

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  1. MEIDEX – Operational Philosophy IAF Space Branch Major Meir Moalem

  2. Problem • Dust storms are random events • …So are sprites • Abundance is different throughout the year • ROIs are limited • Airplane location - another constraint

  3. Solution • Define “rigid” ROIs • Have a valid forecast • Maximize observation opportunities • Record every pass of ROI with sufficient lighting • Additional degree of freedom (truss) • Allow for flexibility in operational activation • Collect a large sample of scientific data • Define secondary, tertiary missions

  4. General • Aerosols backscattered light measurements • Xybion multi-spectral camera, 6 W/L NIR to NUV, 14*10 FOV • SEKAI CCD viewfinder, 60º FOV • ADVCR digital recorders, 360 min total time • Canister with 16" quartz window and HMDA • Operated by PGSC WIN98 software • Backup recording at the AFD (DSR-20)

  5. The MEIDEX Payload Upper support plates Upper End Platew/ Quartz Window Lens and Baffle Gimbal Motor and Worm Drive Optical Bench/Support Bearing and Brake (both sides) Worm Gear Xybion Camera SEKAI Camera Avionics Mount Platew/ electronics Lower End Plate

  6. Operational Event Cycle • Dust forecast • Observation planning: • Where (if exists) is the dust plume? • Where is the Shuttle? • Where is the airplane? • Secondary mission? • Execute package • Observation • Astronaut (operations, backup, feedback) • Quick analysis and re-plan Fusion

  7. Who’s Who and Where • TAU forecast center • POCC • Air Plane Base (Crete) • Aeronet stations • Sprites VLF stations

  8. POCC Exp. Command & Control TAU forecast center Med. ROI Atlantic ROI SPRITES Global coordination in Real Time STK scenario

  9. Secondary Missions • Sprites – ionospheric TLEs • Sea surface (Albedo) • Slant visibility studies

  10. Nominal (aerosols) Operations • Bay-to-earth attitude, -ZLV directed to pass target (as forecasted), nadir view or a small bias • Activate payload, use SEKAI for orientation • “fine tune” truss pointing to dust plum (if possible) • Record science data on MEIDEX canister and AFD (DSR-20) • Monitor storm developments • Supply ground planners with any useful information

  11. Sprite Operations • General convective forecasts, large possible areas (stk pic) • Earth limb view attitude • Tail (or nose) to earth • Bay away from RAM • FOV pointing above horizon • Record lightning activity • “fine tune” with truss

  12. Execute Package • What’s in it? • Time of operations • Location of targets (dust plumes, sprites) • Location of airplane • Forecast maps • Payload related data \ instructions • Any other remarks • When will it be provided? • 24H in advance • 1-2 times per mission day / shift

  13. Example: Day # 007 • Data from mission timeline: • 4 observational opportunities • 2 * dust, 2* sprites • STK scenario: • Where is the shuttle? • Where is the airplane? • Define exact timeline for operation • Ex. Pkg.: • Observation from space, monitor from ground • Feedback? Changes between orbits

  14. Back-up Recording • Recording within the payload: 360 min. • Backup #1: DSR-20 • First to start recording, last to stop • Used for playback to ground when no KU • Backup #2: digital VCR at JSC, records playback orbits • Backup #3: analog at GSFC • Degraded quality, probably not sufficient for scientific analysis

  15. Calibration • Moon calibration: • Shuttle moon pointing maneuver • Moon entering the Xybion FOV • Maintain a 2-5 deg. Deadband for 10 min. • Problem: • Alignment of experiment with the -ZLV • Perform an alignment check on a pre-determined target

  16. POCC Operations • When: • A PS is not available • Target of opportunities • What is required: • Open the HMDA (the door…) • AFD recording • Real-time video downlink

  17. Anomalies • Possible reasons: • Failures (use redundancy, camera definitions) • Special scientific input (filter change) • Pre-defined from ground in the Ex. Pkg.

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