STATUS/ACCOMPLISHMENTS
The systems team continued their efforts in further defining the SDO 
Observatory design concept. Recent efforts have focused on refining the 
mechanical and thermal design concept, as well as the propulsion system 
configuration, high gain antenna system and antenna contact and FOV issues, 
system and subsystem operations concept development, and power switching 
and electrical architecture refinement.  Work is continuing on risk 
identification and classification, as well as reliability studies and 
modeling for the SDO spacecraft, instrument, and ground system.  Instrument 
accommodation discussions are continuing between the systems team and the 
instrument teams.  This interaction included attending an NRL SHARPP 
instrument electronics concept review, which provided positive and 
productive information transfer and technical interaction between the 
SHARPP and SDO systems teams.

Today we will complete the roll-up of our grassroots cost estimates and 
next week we will begin discussions with the GSFC LWS Program & AETD before 
we brief HQ.  Within the next couple of weeks, we will be conducting peer 
reviews of our Standard Data Node (SDN) design (used throughout SDO 
avionics) and the Ground System architecture.  In addition, we ordered the 
RAD Hard Cold Fire processor which will be used in our SDNs - delivery is 
4-6 weeks.  Partnering with GPM for a large quantity processor purchase 
reduced the per unit cost by 12.5%.

Next week we will conduct the EVE & HMI Instrument SRRs and the SHARPP SRR 
is scheduled for 3/20/03.  The HMI & SHARPP teams have developed a unified 
4X4K CCD development specification that will be used in the procurement of 
CCDs from E2V.  NRL will lead the CCD effort as part of the SHARPP Phase A 
contract.    Considerable progress (via teamwork) was made in resolving 
Mission Assurance Requirements (MAR) Document differences with our 
instrument teams.  This up-front effort will enable us to have a solid MAR 
for our SRR/SCR.

The ground system further defined the OPS Concept Document (OCD) and 
Detailed Mission Requirements (DMR) document (ongoing).  The formal RF 
Spectrum licensing application has been defined with all necessary inputs 
being received by the Code 450 Spectrum Manager.  There is an issue 
surfacing about a potential conflict with a TDRSS test environment at the 
White Sands Complex & resolution should be achieved by the end of April.

I thank code 400 for providing/lending rooms in Building 23 to be used by 
Code 580 for SDO and GPM flight software development laboratories.  In 
addition, I welcome Terri Hynson (project support) and Barbara Lambert 
(Photo/Video support) to the SDO team.

Thanks,
Ken

"Procrastination is the fear of success.  Because success is heavy, it 
carries a responsibility with it.  It is much easier to procrastinate and 
live on the "Someday I'll" philosophy."
Denis Waitley
Productivity consultant, author, and lecturer

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