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GP-B Post-Flight Analysis—Final Report - Gravity Probe B - Stanford ...

GP-B Post-Flight Analysis—Final Report - Gravity Probe B - Stanford ...

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Description of the <strong>GP</strong>-B experience:The formal (contractual) relationship between NASA and <strong>Stanford</strong>, as well as <strong>Stanford</strong>’s prime subcontractor,Lockheed-Martin, evolved over time as NASA Marshall worked to gain more technical and programmaticinsight into the operations of the project. This led to difficulties with information exchange and peer-to-peerinteraction while new protocols were established.Lessons:1. Establish and maintain open peer-to-peer communications and clear technical visibility between thecustomer (NASA) and contractors, including sub-contractors, from the beginning of the project.2. Establish a secure information exchange vehicle, such as the internet-based MSFC Virtual ResearchCenter (VRC) to allow unfettered access to program information to all authorized team members.3. Create and maintain all program documentation in common electronically readable and searchableformat (not image format).4. Establish protocols to access and keep secure flight data between the Principal Investigator and thesponsoring organization (NASA), possibly including off-site tools for data viewing and analysis.16.1.1.7 Disturbance from sunshade shutterIssue Summary: Reduce the dynamic disturbance from sunshade shutter activations.Description of the <strong>GP</strong>-B experience:Large science gyro position excursions were observed during science telescope shutter activation. It was decidedto leave the shutter open continuously to avoid these dynamic disturbances on the science gyroscopes. Theprimary root cause of this situation was insufficient testing and analysis of the off-the-shelf design formechanical disturbances.Lessons:1. Perform detailed tests to determine the magnitude of mechanical disturbances on the integrated vehicle.2. Minimize dynamic disturbances caused by mechanisms.16.1.1.8 Telemetry data ratesIssue Summary: Add Capability to Dwell Telemetry on Payload Units for Higher Rate Data.Description of the <strong>GP</strong>-B experience:On <strong>GP</strong>-B there are four identical GSS units, and two SRE units. Obtaining continuous data for each of the 4units at a high sample rate is not possible due to bandwidth limitations on the downlink. However, shortduration(10-20 second) full data rate snapshots have been effective in providing focused high rate telemetry.Lesson:• Consider a function in <strong>Flight</strong> Software to dwell telemetry on a subset of the high data rate telemetry viaground command. Create a “payload-checkout” downlink format that would contain a minimal numberof monitors for all payload units, and a high sample rate for the one selected unit.16.1.1.9 Command Database improvementsIssue Summary: Improvements to Command Database.<strong>Gravity</strong> <strong>Probe</strong> B — <strong>Post</strong> <strong>Flight</strong> Analysis • Final <strong>Report</strong> March 2007 445

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