RFP ANNEX C
NPOESS Sensor Payload and Algorithm Development
STATEMENT OF OBJECTIVES
17 March 1997
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NPOESS Sensor Payload and Algorithm Development Statement of Objectives (SOO)
The National Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System (NPOESS) program was designated by Presidential Decision Directive as the single satellite system that will replace the Department of Commerce (DoC) Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellites and the Department of Defense (DoD) Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) satellites. In implementing this program, it has been determined that the two satellite DMSP and the two satellite NOAA constellations will be replaced by satellites in three orbital planes, with a EUMETSAT-provided satellite (incorporating a number of U.S.-provided payload instruments) an integral component of this constellation. NPOESS will constitute the remote sensing capability that will acquire, receive at ground terminals, and disseminate to processing centers, global and regional data required by the civil and military user communities. This data will include radiometric observations of the atmosphere and cloud cover imagery, as well as other specialized environmental, climate, terrestrial, oceanographic, and solar-geophysical data. Data processed into Environmental Data Records (EDRs) will be distributed for use by the operational community. The NPOESS will incorporate, where appropriate, technology transitioned from the NASA Earth Observing System (EOS) program.
The overall strategy for NPOESS is to accomplish substantial risk reduction with an initial focus on sensor/algorithm development followed by a separate spacecraft and system development effort. The sensors to be developed consist of the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS), Conical Microwave Imager Sounder (CMIS), Cross-track Infrared Sounder (CrIS), Ozone Mapper and Profiler Suite (OMPS), and the Global Positioning System (GPS) Occultation Sensor (GPSOS). Each of the five separate sensor developments is divided into two distinct phases, Risk Reduction Phase and Detailed Design and Fabrication Phase, separated by a downselect to one vendor if more than one development activity for a sensor is initially funded.
The objectives of the Risk Reduction Phase are to reduce program risk prior to sensor downselect by performing the necessary requirements analysis; sensor definition; preliminary design; science algorithm development; risk identification, reduction, and mitigation; technology demonstrations; and sensor cost analyses. The sensor downselects occur after their respective Preliminary Design Review (PDR).
2.1 The primary management objectives are twofold: (a) flexible and innovative management of program cost, schedule, performance, risks, contracts and subcontracts, and data required to deliver effective and affordable sensor and algorithm designs; and (b) delivery of program cost, schedule, and technical performance parameters to enable Government assessment of system capability to meet requirements.
2.2 Establish sensor functional baseline that allows EDR threshold requirements to be met and is optimized with respect to the Sensor Requirements Document (SRD) objectives.
2.3 Reduce or mitigate risks (programmatic, technical, supportability, cost and schedule) to a level sufficient to proceed into sensor detailed design and fabrication.
2.4 Develop a complete preliminary design for all elements of the sensor suite and sensor-to-spacecraft interfaces based on the sensor functional baseline (as established in paragraph 2.2) and Interface Requirements Document (IRD).
2.5 Identify and obtain from external sources, or prepare, as appropriate, the theoretical basis for the development of scientific algorithms for all the EDRs for which that sensor suite has been identified as the primary sensor suite.
2.6 Develop preliminary estimates for the sensor development, unit fabrication, integration, and operational costs.
2.7 Develop alternatives for incorporating new technologies and enhancing performance and/or reduce cost.
2.8 Demonstrate and validate sensor and algorithm performance against EDR requirements using analytical, simulation, test, and other hardware/software techniques.
3.0 Detailed Design and Fabrication Phase Objectives
Following sensor downselect, a Detailed Design and Fabrication Phase will complete the sensor design; verify the producibility and processes; fabricate, assemble, test, integrate, and deliver the required number of units. Operational algorithm coding based on science algorithms validated during the Risk Reduction Phase may not be implemented by the sensor contractors under this phase.
3.1 The primary management objectives are twofold: (a) flexible and innovative management of program cost, schedule, performance, risks, warranties, contracts and subcontracts, vendors, and data required to deliver effective and affordable sensors; and (b) maintain clear government visibility into program cost, schedule, and technical performance electronically.
3.2 Complete detailed design for each sensor including any further science algorithm development for fabrication approval at CDR.
3.3 Complete risk mitigation activities and demonstrate that the sensor development risks are reduced to a level sufficient to begin fabrication.
3.4 Finalize sensor-to-spacecraft interfaces with selected system contractor.
3.5 Complete estimates for the sensor unit fabrication, integration, operational, and sustainment costs.
3.6 Fabricate, assemble, qualify, and acceptance test the sensor.
3.7 Develop/acquire, produce, validate, verify, and deliver the Integrated Logistics Support products.
3.8 Deliver to the spacecraft integrator the required number of sensors for integration with the spacecraft.