MEIDEX D - 1 MEIDEX – Operational Philosophy IAF Space Branch Major Meir Moalem

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

MEIDEX D - 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

MEIDEX D - 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)

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

MEIDEX D - 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

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

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

MEIDEX D - 9 Secondary Missions Sprites – ionospheric TLEs Sea surface (Albedo) Slant visibility studies

MEIDEX D - 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

MEIDEX D - 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

MEIDEX D - 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

MEIDEX D - 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

MEIDEX D - 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

MEIDEX D - 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

MEIDEX D - 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

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