We presented our package highlighting the SDO/Launch Vehicle accommodation 
challenges to the Deputy Associate Administrator for Space Sciences and the 
Sun-Earth Connection Division Theme Director this morning.  The meeting 
went very well and we will continue to work with Code S over the next few 
weeks to receive their guidance in a couple key formulation areas.  The 
Project conducted detailed cost estimate discussions with K-Band & S-Band 
Communications, Power, Propulsion, Attitude Control System (ACS), Command & 
Data Handling, & Mechanisms.  We also had a good meeting with the ACS team 
where we made some decisions regarding ACS related technologies.  We 
continue to prepare for our Internal Systems Requirements Retreat (SRR) and 
the systems team participated in specific architecture and implementation 
questions with subsystem leads.  The Power team had a very informative 
meeting with SAFT (battery cell vendor) where they discussed attributes of 
Li-Ion batteries.  The Ground System team continues to define & refine 
level 2 requirements in the areas of data capture & distribution, antenna 
utilization, end-to-end integration, & operational procedures.  Next week 
members of the Ground team will travel to the White Sands ground station to 
discuss capabilities & possible agreements.

The GSFC team visited the EVE folks this week and had very good 
conversations reviewing programmatic coordination, technical status and 
comments provided on the SDO Mission Assurance Document.  The EVE team also 
described and reviewed the set of design and requirements trade studies 
they currently have in work.  The Stanford/LMSAL HMI team provided 
information on pointing, thermal radiator modelling, candidate parts, MAR 
comments, and command and data handling this week.  Stanford is reviewing 
the MRD, Level 1 requirements, and the minimum mission requirements and are 
expected to provide comments soon.  LMSAL is optimizing the optical layout, 
modelling thermal gradients on the front window, and refining their mass 
estimate in preparation for our Internal System Requirements Retreat.

On Monday (1/27), the Project will start a weekly Parts meeting with all 
the subsystem leads.  At the first meeting, the SDO parts engineer will 
conduct a discussion on the parts process, requirements for screening, DPA, 
qualification, radiation testing, deviations, and development of the 
Approved Part Identification List.  We will also start identifying part 
types, quantities, & procurements (costs & lead times).

In the area of project support, the Configuration Management (CM) team is 
preparing ISO letters (identifying QMS Implementation Mgr., Directives 
Mgr., Records Mgr., Configuration Mgr., and Non-Conformance Lead) and 
incorporating initial comments to the SDO CM procedures prior to 
distributing for a larger review.  We are also gathering requirements for 
future computer hardware, software, office supplies, and miscellaneous item 
purchases as well as ensuring current Procurement Requests are awarded on 
time in preparation for the upcoming IFMP transitional period (April - June 
2003).

Thanks,
Ken

"Experience tells you what to do, confidence allows you to do it."
Stan Smith
Tennis Professional

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