- B. Williams, director of the STScI, welcomed the participants and
opened the meeting with the STScI perspective. The
observatory continues to operate well. Some of the highlights of the past
6 months, and the near future, are
- Despite the failure of an S-band transmitter,
no scientific data was lost because of yeoman work by the
HST project and schedulers, and the scheduling efficiency remains high.
- The southern HDF field will be observed on 1-10 October.
- The schedule for Servicing Mission 3 has slipped into early 2000.
- Negotiations are underway between NASA and ESA to extend the Memorandum
of Understanding which expires in 2001.
The director reported that he will be stepping down on at the end of July, and
M. Hauser will be interim director of STScI for the month of August.
S. Beckwith will become director on 1 September 1998.
- E. Weiler told the committee about the current status at
headquarters.
Wes Huntress will be leaving as Associate Administrator for Space Science
on 1 September. No replacement has been identified yet. Although the
current budgets look as good as can be expected, there are some concerns.
AXAF is facing a 30-40 million dollar overrun, and these funds will have
to be found somewhere within OSS. Congress has sent a letter to Dan Goldin
informing him that Congress considers science to be NASA's top priority.
It is hoped that this will protect space science funding from the
International Space Station cost overruns.
- J. Campbell reported on the spacecraft and project status. The planned
date of the SM-3 mission has slipped 5 months to 5/11/00 (STS 107).
In order to
maintain a 3 year spacing, the SM-4 mission has slipped by 4 months, into
March 2003 (STS 133). A
current STS launch schedule can be viewed at this site.
The HST spacecraft is in good health. Changes since the last meeting
include:
- New operating procedures have improved the performance of FGS2. The
bearings have been degrading. FGS2 will be replaced in SM-3.
- There are ittermittent EDAC (error detection and correction) errors in
the Solid State Recorders, but these affect about 1/1000 of the
memory chips, and are not a cause for concern at present.
- An S-band single access (SSA) transmitter failed, and will be replaced
in SM-3. There are
two high-gain antennas (HGA). Each is pointed at a different TDRSS in
order to minimize HGA movements. The SSA transmitters are redundant, and
can feed either HGA. The transmitters for the low gain antennas can also
feed the HGAs, so there is still redundancy in the system.
During SM-3, the following items will be inserted or replaced:
- The Advanced Camera for Surveys (FOC will be removed)
- FGS (replacement for FGS-2)
- Solar Array III
- A replacement Gyro package
- a 486 Computer
- Aft Shroud Cooling system
- NICMOS cooling system
- Batter voltage improvement kit
- Solid State Recorder (SSR)
- S-band Single Access (SSA)transmitter
- Multi-layer insulation (MLI) will be repaired
In addition, the HST will be reboosted by 9 nautical miles.
The committee asked why the SM-3 EVA
schedule had the two solar array relacements
scheduled for adjacent EVAs, when that would mean training both EVA crews
to perform this task. the answer was that there was concern about the
fragility of the old solar arrays, in case the shuttle had to make an
unplanned maneuver.
During SM-4, the following are planned:
- Insertion of the Cosmic Origins Spectrograph (COS)
- Insertion of the Wide Field Camera 3 (WFC3)
- Replacement of FGS-3
- Replacement of the batteries and 4 gyros
- Replacement of any other failed components
In addition, the HST will be reboosted by 10 nautical miles. This will
supply sufficient altitude for the HST to survive the solar cycle 24
maximum.
During the expected Leonid meteor shower on 16-17 November 1998, the HST
will be pointed with the aft bulkhead facing into the shower. The project
is looking for suitable targets in the other direction.
- D. Leckrone reported from the HST project. NASA intends to operate the HST
beyond its nominal termination date of 2005, as recommended by the
"HST and Beyond" study. The basic plans for implementing these goals,
and ensuring that HST is still returning useful science in 2010,
include upgrading COS capabilities, to provide a near-UV channel, and
providing for a replacement for WFPC2 (WFC-3), to provide redundant imaging
capabilities. Both these have been approved by the STIC, the Origins
subcommittee, and by Wes Huntress.
WFC-3 is being developed as a facility
instrument, with a Science Oversight Committee (SOC) being chosen from the
community. There were 60 applicants for the SOC, in response to a
community-wide call. The membership will be announced shortly.
The Second Decade Study committee is being
formed to study operations of the HST (see below).
The NICMOS Cooling
System (NCS) is being developed to provide near-IR capability into the
second decade. It is not yet an official part of the second decade
plan. NCS will be flight tested on the HOST mission (STS-95). The Fall
committee will assess NICMOS performance and science output;
the Second
Decade Committee will critically assess NICMOS versus anticipated
ground-based capabilities. Both these committees will report to the NICMOS
ISR (Harwit committee) which will make a
recommendation on whether or not to proceed with the NCS on SM-3.
Science funding (UPN 459) for HST looks stable for the forseeable future.
- M. Stiavelli reported on the Servicing Mission Office activities.
Most SMO activities are unaffected by the delay in SM-3. The ACS delivery
and testing schedule is unchanged. The office is developing pipeline
processing software for the ACS. It was noted that the ACS data sets
will be large (the typical WFC GO data set is expected to amount to
8.9 Gbytes without compression), and will require high-end workstations
for data processing. There was some discussion of whether dithered imaged
should be combined in the pipline processing.
-
R. Brown presented to the committee a description of the plans for the
Second Decade Study. The HST project has directed the STScI to develop a
strategic plan for the second decade of HST (following SM-4). A 21 member
committee has been convened. The committee will meet at STScI in July, at
the ECF in
Garching, Germany in the fall, and aims to complete their study
by early 1999 and distribute their findings as a booklet. The charter of
the committee and further information is available at
the HST Second Decade
website.
The Second Decade Committee is requesting public comment and input.
- P. Stanley discussed the current state of HST planning and scheduling.
Cycle 5 observations are 99.6% complete, with the last 4 proposals
(19 orbits) expected
to execute by August 1998. Cycle 6 is now 77% complete, with a 90%
completion expected by the end of 1998. Cycle 7 is 43% complete.
It is currently anticipated that NICMOS science observations will
terminate on 15 November 1998. To date 46% of the observing time in
cycle 7 has been used for NICMOS, which is within the 40-50% guideline.
It has been difficult to schedule STIS observations, in part because of
ORIENT constraints for the long slit.
The failure of the SSA transmitter had no significant impact on the
science program, thanks to manual effort by the GSFC and STScI operations
personnel, and good TDRSS support.
It has not been possible to maintain a stable long range plan (LRP), because
of additional time allotted to NICMOS (including the NIC3 campaigns) and
increased calibration requirements. The STScI is developing a
tool which will automatically notify PIs when a change in
the LRP has a significant affect on the scheduling of one of their
programs.
The STScI is planning for cycles 8 and 9 to be 1 year in duration. Cycle
8 will start in June 1999 (Call for proposals issued 17 June 1998 with
proposals due at 5PM EST 11 September 1998). Cycle 9 will start in
June 2000. The SM-3 servicing mission in May 2000 will affect both cycles,
and ACS will first be available in Cycle 9.
There will be and Education and Public Outreach (E/PO) beginning with
Cycle 8. E/PO proposals must be associated with a successful "parent"
GO/AR proposal. Up to $10K can be requested for activities which
enhance education and public understanding of space science.
- M. Shara discussed the mechanics of the recent Archival call for
proposals. PIs were notified within 4 months of the issuance of the PC,
about 2 months after the proposal deadline. 169 proposal were submitted;
44 were accepted for funding. The policy was to fund the best proposals
in full rather than to cut individual funding requests to permit
acceptance of more proposals.
- M. Donahue discussed the recent survey of archive users and cycle
5-7 PIs. 114 of 460 users responded. Among the findings are:
- 13% of users report tape problems and 25% report electronic retrieval
problems. Only one tape problem and no electronic retrieval
problems could be traced to DADS.
- 57% of users would prefer to receive their data on CDROM.
- The paper products were deemed especially important for first-time
users, but most respondents did not think that they needed actual
paper as long as the information were reliably available, say on CD.
- The report asked about user recalibrations, in preparation for
the on-the-fly-calibration (OTFC). 88% of STIS users, and 66% of
WFPC2 users recalibrate their data at least once. 33% of NICMOS
users recalibrate their data at least 3 times.
OTFC is expected to be available for WFPC2 in October 1998, and for STIS
and NICMOS in 1999.
- K. Long advised the STUC on the status of the current instruments.
NICMOS is working well. The instrument is photometrically stable, and
absolute photometry appears good to 5%. Cosmic ray persistence following
SAA passages has affected some images. The structure of the dark
frames is now fairly well characterized.
The NIC3 campaign was a success. The
coronographic mode is now enabled. NIC3 is still slightly
out-of-focus;
this is not expected to change. The H-band resolution is
0.45 arcsec (0.33 expected), and the energy peak is about 2/3 the
in-focus value. The cryogen is expected to be exhaused on
31 December 1998 (+/- 1 month); the science program will likely
terminate on 15 November 1998.
-
STIS is operating well. Spectral sensitivity calibrations are
complete; imaging sensitivity calibrations should be complete
by mid-June 1998. Collaborations with the IDT and ECF on calibration
issues have been helpful. The data reduction pipeline is stabilizing,
but ssignificant updates are expected over the next year. The ground
system is being enhanced. WAVECALS will be permitted in occultations,
which will greatly increase MAMA efficiency. More slits, and FP-SPLIT
slits are now supported.
-
WFPC2 continues to perform well, and is generally stable. The
CTE problem is worsening with time. This affects primarily
images with low count rates.
- About 110
FOC orbits remain. The last FOC/48 image was taken in June 1997.
A closeout calibration plan has been developed. About 500 internal
calibration frames will be taken before SM-3. These will be available
to any GO who requires 1% pixel-to-pixel statistical accuracy
(the analysis of the calibration images will be the responsibility of
the GO).
-
FGS3
is currently being used for science astrometry; in Cycle 8 FGS1R
will become the prime science astrometry FGS (a final decision will be
made by July 1 1998, based on tests carried out in May).
- STScI plans a comprehensive assessment of user support. A user survey
will be carried out by late summer, and a report is to be made to the
director by the end of 1998.
- A. Storrs reported on the NIC3 campaign. 289 orbits were scheduled
between 12 January and 1 February 1998. 4 orbits were lost to a NICMOS
suspend, otherwise all went well. The 1 sigma noise level in the
F160W HDF image is 0.9nJy (corresponding to AB magnitude H=31.6), based on
the width of the distribution of all pixels in the coadded image.
The second NIC3 campaign is scheduled for
4-28 June 1998.
- K. Long reported on the
Pure Parallel observations. The
recommendations of the Parallels Working Group,
chaired by J. Frogel, have been implemented.
About 2200 hours of pure parallel data are now in hand. Three archival
research programs using these data were approved. GOs will be allowed to
propose pure parallel programs in cycle 8, but their aims should differ
from those currently being run.
- C. Christian described the activities of the
Office of Public Outreach
(OPO). Most of us are aware of the photo and press releases, but the OPO
does much more, especially in support of
education. They provide curriculum support through the Amazing
Space program. OPO is involved in the Smithsonian Travelling Exhibit
(SITES). The OIPO site provides support for the NASA Origins program
through the Origins Education Forum,
as well as providing outreach for FUSE and NGST.
- J. Clarke brought up the planetary science issues.
The STUC applauds the many improvements made by STScI personnel during
the past two years in the planning and scheduling of moving target
programs. These changes make it easier for STScI to support moving
targets observations and decrease the probability of failed
observations.
A number of unresolved issues have been raised, and most of these
were addressed by informal comments. In general, the situation in
terms of NICMOS and STIS observations is favorable, with good
quality observations ongoing and some excellent science having
been reported in press releases and in scientific meetings. The
following comments concentrate on issues yet to be resolved.
- Planning and scheduling:
Several improvements have been reported
by STScI staff that should improve the facility and accuracy of
planning and scheduling moving target observations.
- Planetary target finding charts:
While these were reported to
be a few months away at the last STUC meeting in Nov. 1997, they
are now expected to be implemented in summer 1998. It was
reported that the production of the charts was more involved
than first expected, in the sense that it was found that these
must be generated by MOSS. This is now the top MOSS priority
for development. The STUC noted that the utility of the finding charts
will be compromised unless the charts are provided in a timely manner, i.e.,
in enough time so that the observations can be replanned without creating
holes in the SMS.
- Extension of track 51 segments beyond 33 minutes:
This is now
expected to be implemented with the installation of a 486 on-board
processor in SM-3. Since the track 51 command is the one that is used
for small linear motions of the telescope, not just for moving
target tracking, there has been reluctance within the project
to change this software. However, the software must be recoded
anyway for the new processor, and STScI reports that the new
track 51 segments will be able to extend for up to 4 times longer
than the present 33 minutes in the new software.
- Success rates on STIS and NICMOS observations:
A report has been
drafted, but not yet released, at STScI on failure rates for
early observations with the new SI's, including STIS and NICMOS
observations of planetary targets. A draft version of the main
results was shown to us off-line. As of March 1998 there had been
37 NICMOS and 43 STIS observations, of which 10 of each failed.
While this rate is unacceptably high, many of the failures are
likely due to start-up problems that have now been fixed. A
quick perusal of the reasons for the failures did not reveal
any clear systematic trends for either instrument, although
there are too few failures to obtain good statistics. It
appears that no obvious problems with either instrument have
yet been identified, although this may not console the unlucky
observers whose observations failed. The STScI is continuing
to monitor the various failures, and to watch for problems
with the instruments.
- STIS MAMA observations under GYRO pointing control:
STScI is looking into the possibility. This
is an important capability for observing newly-discovered comets, whose
poorly-known ephemerides do not allow accurate selection of Guide Stars (to
enable FGS tracking) more than a week in advance of the observations.
- F. Walter voiced his opinion that it was the obligation of the STScI to
provide a fully calibrated and extracted (if appropriate) data product to
the users, and that it was
inappropriate to provide a partially or incompletely calibrated/extracted
data set and then
tell the observer to perform the calibrations in STSDAS. Any recalibrations are
the responsibility of the observer. This issue will become moot after the
implementation of on-the-fly calibrations
- After an executive session, the committee adjourned for the night and
were treated to dinner by B. Williams and D. Machetto.
- M. Fall discussed the NICMOS independent science reviews (ISRs). An ISR
chaired by Fall is examining the scientific productivity of NICMOS, in order
to justify the continued development of the NICMOS Cooling System. This
committee will report, in June 1998, to the HST project, and in January 1999
to the Harwit ISR. Issues are instrument performance and scientific results.
This committee will not examine the capabilities of NICMOS as compared to the
planned ground-based near-IR capabilities.
- E. Cheng reported on the NICMOS Cooling System (NCS),
formerly known as the cryocooler. The development of this device received a
cool reception from the STUC last year. The
Harwit ISR gave a go-ahead to
continued development in September 1997. The NCS would permit NICMOS to operate
indefinitely.
This will be the first flight of a turbo-Brayton cryocooler, so there may be
potential problems that are not yet understood. An engineering model will
fly in October on the HOST mission (STS-95). The HST project made it quite
clear that NCS will not be allowed to negatively impact
on any other HST operations.
The NCS draws up to 400W power (300W nominal),
and will have a radiator similar in design to the Aft Shroud Cooling System.
The power and aft shroud cooling constraints are not a problem now,
but may exceed the capabilities of the HST after 2002, if three or four
instruments are operated in parallel.
The preliminary tests results have been encouraging. The Harwit ISR
will review the results of the Host mission and the Fall report in
January 1999.
- After a break, E. Cheng continued with a description of the
Wide-Field
Camera 3 (WFC3). The WFC3 is designed to replace WFPC-2, and provide backup
imaging capabilities to ACS. It is a facility instrument, with no GO team, but
the progress will be monitored by a Scientific Oversight Committee (SOC).
It reuses
some of the hardware of the WFPC, and builds on the legacy of the ACS. It will
use an ACS CCD detector. There was some discussion of filter selection. There
are a number of spare WFPC2 and ACS filters which can be used. The
final selection of filters will lie with the SOC.
Characterization of the ACS lot 7 and 8 detectors is underway at GSFC.
The SOC is being selected, and will meet in late summer 1998.
- M. Rafal discussed the current status of the
Advanced Camera for
Surveys (ACS), which is to be installed in SM-3.
Integration is well underway. Because of cost pressures, Thermal Vacuum and
Calibration testing have been moved to GSFC. There will be no absolute
calibration using external sources during thermal vac. There are no plans to
calibrate the absolute UV throughput (the Solar Blind Channel - SBC).
The ACS is to be shipped to GSFC about 1 September, and prepared for SM-3 in
the spring of 1999.
There was some discussion of the planned test schedule. At present, Thermal
Vac and calibration immediately follow the Acoustics testing. The STUC felt
that it would be prudent to return the ACS to Ball after the acoustics
test, in order to measure the alignment or the optics prior to the thermal vac
and calibration.
As reported at our last meeting, the WFC CCD QE is still below nominal, and
the parallel CTE is also below specs.
There has been no further progress on CCD development. Lot 7 is now being
tested. If a CCD with improved characteristics is identified,
it may be possible to replace it prior to launch.
There is some concern that Ball will not be able to provide adequate
support after shipment to GSFC, because of tight funding.
- R. Beaser described the Grants Administration Team for Organizational
Reengineering (GATOR) Continuous Process Improvement (CPI) Project. They
propose to speed up the funding allocation process, which currently takes about
9 months. Under the reengineered funding process, STScI would automatically
generate a target GO budget, which would be sent to the PI with the time
allocation letters. This target budget would be based on some algorithm which
involved numbers of targets and observations and perceived complexity of the
analysis. If the PI accepts the target budget, the funding can begin with the
first observation (preparatory funding will still be available). PIs can appeal,
and submit a revised budget, which will then be reviewed by the Financial
Review Committee and the Director.
This algorithm will be tested, but not used, during cycle 8. Plans are to
implement the target budgets for Cycle 9. It is expected that 10% of PIs will
appeal the budget. The STUC felt this number was low.
The Grants Management Division is moving towards all-electronic budget
submissions and notifications, with web-based community access.
- The next meeting of the STUC is scheduled
for November 9-10 1998.
- The STUC applauded Bob Williams for his service to STScI and the
community during his term as director.
- The STUC entered executive session, and adjourned at 3:00 PM.