Cassini Program Status Report Robert T Mitchell January

Cassini Program Status Report Robert T. Mitchell January 15, 2002 Cassini PSG Meeting #27 1

January 15, 2002 Cassini PSG Meeting #27 2

Project Science Group Discussion Topics • Squibb retires – Retirement dinner is Thursday the 24 th, last day is end of January • First GWE is complete – Of maximum possible, acquired 90% of Ka-band 98% of X-band data • Huygens Recovery Status – Earl is leading this, will report more. – Three ESA folks now in residence working with us; things seem to be progressing very well – Delta-V cost is still around 90 m/s – Trajectory expected to be final around X. January 15, 2002 Cassini PSG Meeting #27 3

Project Science Group Discussion Topics (cont’d) • Upcoming Significant Program Events – Quarterly Review with HQ - Feb. 4 – SOI Review - Feb 20 -21 – U/L CDR - Feb. 28 – V&V Review - March ? – Budget Working Session - March/April – Huygens QPM - April 14 -15 in Cannes – TCM-18 - April 3 • NISN Lines – Question still not resolved, may impact us as early as FY’ 03. FY’ 01 cost to Code M was $731 K. • Weni Chang is taking on the science contracts financial task. January 15, 2002 Cassini PSG Meeting #27 4

January 15, 2002 Cassini PSG Meeting #27 5

BUDGET STATUS • Current activity to work all years to higher level of fidelity than previously • High confidence of two results: – The current science support funding plan can be reduced – It won’t be reduced enough to cover the existing science funding liens • Expected funding figures for science teams for all years still not available - sorry! Hope to have it by spring. January 15, 2002 Cassini PSG Meeting #27 6

Science Planning • TWT deliverables for revs 4 -10 are complete, revs 10 -15 due 2/18 • TWT files will be "locked up" on the due date starting on 2/18 and go into the merge process • All TWT deliveries are to be lien-free • MSS D 8. 0 available on May 10 • SOP implementation starts on May 10 • Concern - workload increase when TWT integration and SOP implementation are running in parallel • Reminder - We picked the 18 -5 tour knowing that it was an aggressive choice. If we achieve less than 100% of the science available from it, no one should consider that we failed. • SOP implementation complete by SOI. January 15, 2002 Cassini PSG Meeting #27 7

In-Orbit Activities • • SOP update and aftermarket process, including work on SOP deficiencies Sequence adaptation based on inflight results On-going instrument calibration, operations, health and safety Sequence generation and integration during SSUP – Instrument subsequence generation and constraint checking (observation and pointing redesign) – Three simultaneous sequences in work (2 in development, 1 in execution) – Integrated sequence review – IEBs and corresponding trigger commands – Mini-sequences – Real-time commands By SOI + 1 yr, delivery of all cruise data to PDS Starting at SOI + 1 yr, delivery of all orbital data to PDS by receipt + 1 yr. Extended mission planning Data analysis and publication January 15, 2002 Cassini PSG Meeting #27 8

What Happens on July 1, 2008? • Options are an extension of the prime mission or a descoped extended mission – Distinctions are level of effort, level of funding, and duration – Prime mission extension doesn't preclude descoped extended mission – Reverse probably not true • Either case requires tour design, evaluation, iteration, selection • This effort must necessarily be done in parallel with prime mission activities • When should the decision and planning be done? • Earlier allows the extra (presumably unfunded) work to be spread out over more time • Later allows for results from the first part of the tour to influence the decision making • Initial budget planning for '08 and beyond at HQ occurs later this year January 15, 2002 Cassini PSG Meeting #27 9