Personal Introduction Brian Engberg

While a graduate student at Stanford University, I was heavily involved with the Space Systems Development Laboratory , under the direction of Prof. Bob Twiggs • • • • Satellites and related projects that I worked on: SAPPHIRE (Launched Sept 2001) : CPU development team 1995-96 OPAL (Launched Jan 2000) : Project manager, lead systems engineer 1995-97; special advisor 1997-2000

SSDL ground station manager

1998-2000 Orion (UNP Nanosat 1) : Project manager, student PI, lead systems engineer, power system lead, Shuttle safety lead 1999-2001

I was hired by AFRL/VSSV in Oct 2001; I am currently Chief Engineer of AFRL/VSSL, working on programs to deliver space-based laser communications technology I also continue to provide support to the University Nanosat Program University Nanosatellite Program – Project Management Tips (FOUO)

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University Satellite Programs

So you want to build a satellite?

 There’s more involved than equations and engineering – managing technical aspects are only a small part of the effort  A great deal of the educational value mission life-cycle process lies in learning the subtleties of the  You have been selected for a competition, but more importantly, you have been selected to

receive an education !

What follows?

– “lessons learned” and experience-based advice Solve problems before they evolve… “A gram of forethought is worth a metric ton of engineering”

Caveats

on advice herein • Different administrative constraints from institution to institution • Experiences will be based on available talent pool and student interests • Find and define methods that work for your particular program

University Nanosatellite Program – Project Management Tips (FOUO)

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Keys to Success

Administrative and student leadership • Roles and communication Organized mission and requirements approach • Thought processes, logical planning, and team buy-in Good systems engineering practices • Set up a good foundation early Personnel management • Know your strengths and weaknesses Technical challenges can be time-consuming – but poor project management can

absolutely devastate

your schedule!

It is far more likely that your

program will fail

due to management problems than due to technical/engineering roadblocks!

University Nanosatellite Program – Project Management Tips (FOUO)

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Leadership Roles

Good communication paths are critical!

Professor

• “Head of State” • Technical mentorship • Executes expenditures • Administrative support • MUST

empower

students to:    complete tasks make design decisions productivity self-policing

“Step in” only when necessary

Students/Student PI

• “Head of Government” • Technical execution • Financial decisions • Administrative awareness • MUST

advise

professor:    technical progress group morale facility needs

Prevent the need for the professor to “step in”

Of course, if a professor wants to “get their hands dirty”, that can be beneficial too… However, education should be

student focused

University Nanosatellite Program – Project Management Tips (FOUO)

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Organized Requirements

Why is access to space required?

Science goals Mission objectives

Mission Statement

• Clear, specific statement describing goals & objectives • Does NOT necessarily require justification • Should not, in general, specify requirements Mission Goals & Requirements • Clear, specific statements describing mission products & methods • Define minimum success and preferred goals • In general, should drive (but not specify) system requirements System / Operational Requirements Subsystem Requirements

University Nanosatellite Program – Project Management Tips (FOUO)

CONOPs plan 5

Mission Statements

Crappy MS (too general):

The purpose of Program X is to learn about magnetic-molecular chemistry effects in the upper atmosphere by using microsatellites

Good MS:

The purpose of Program X is to investigate the effect of Earth’s magnetic field on molecular chemical reactions in the upper ionosphere; this will be achieved by taking data on orbit with a novel dual-band antenna sensing device, after which the data will be returned to the ground for processing.

Crappy MS (too specific):

Chemical reactions between oxygenated molecules in the upper atmosphere are theorized to have a strong effect on weather patterns over large bodies of water such as the oceans. As such, the purpose of Program X is to investigate the effect of Earth’s magnetic field on atomic oxygen and ozone reactions in the F1 and F2 layers of the ionosphere; this will be achieved by taking data with a novel dual-band antenna sensing device attached to a microsatellite not to exceed 50 cm cubed in size and 50 kg in mass. The data must be returned to the ground within 12 hours of capture so that it can be processed using the revolutionary “Technique B”.

The

worst

MS is not to have one at all!!!!

University Nanosatellite Program – Project Management Tips (FOUO)

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Mission Goals and Requirements

“Good” Examples:

• At least one complete continuous orbit of payload data, taken from the F2 region of the ionosphere, must be returned to the ground • In order to collect valid data, the payload must be pointed to within 30 degrees of the satellite radial vector • The camera payload must capture at least one daytime image of the US west coast; the goal is to create an image archive map of the entire US.

• The formation flying experiment must be repeatable at least 3 times over an experimental period of two weeks • At least 50% of the tether payload must be deployed; the goal is 95% Vague

“Bad” examples:

• Data must be returned to the ground promptly • The camera payload must capture at least one image Operationally vague – is an image of “black space” OK?

• A magnetic torque rod control system must de-tumble the satellite within 3 hours • The goal is to deploy at least 90% of the tether payload Likely a system Only a goal – no “minimum success” identified requirement

University Nanosatellite Program – Project Management Tips (FOUO)

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Flowing Down Requirements

Directly support mission requirements & goals System requirements

Internal and External

Operational Requirements Subsystem requirements Concept of Operations Plan Mission design Supports system requirements Component Requirements Interface requirements • electrical • mechanical • software Operational Constraints Orbital Defines design details environment Bottom Line: • Standardized top-down thinking process • Can justify & defend decisions

(know the

•

assumptions!!)

• ALL team members must “buy in”

Write a formal requirements document!!

University Nanosatellite Program – Project Management Tips (FOUO)

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Systems Engineering Process

Requirements Analysis Tip:

START HERE

Defining & understanding the requirements is critical Requirements Loop Understand the requirements and how they affect the way in which the system must function.

Functional Allocation Design Loop Identify a feasible solution that functions in a way that meets the requirements Verification Loop Show that the synthesized design meets all requirements Synthesis Many people try to start here (big mistake) Synthesis Control Loop Identify and employ “control mechanisms” that manage configuration, interfaces, data products, technology insertion, and

program risk

Systems Analysis & Control

University Nanosatellite Program – Project Management Tips (FOUO)

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Systems Engineering Practices

Set up a plan for each of these

EARLY!

Documentation Organization • Requirements (

!!

) Design Budgets • Power • Memory/data • Communications • Mass • $$$ • Other resources Interface Control • Harness & Connectors • Structural connections • Beg • Steal • Software protocols & signal processing • Materials Lists • CAD drawings • Safety documents • Interface controls • Configuration management Acquisition strategies • Borrow • Purchase Identify design drivers • Cost • Schedule • Performance

Risk mitigation strategies!

University Nanosatellite Program – Project Management Tips (FOUO)

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Personnel Management

Each team will have a unique pool of available talent

Educational opportunity: learn to look for, identify, and utilize your team’s unique skills

Common High-Value Skills • Ace programmers • Machinists • Electronic board designers • CAD/ORCAD wizards • Communications equipment designer • Master solderer • HAM radio operator • Documentation expert/librarian skills Know what expertise is “in-house” and what you need to “farm out” • Find a new student with desired skills • Cooperation with on-campus academic / research groups • Off-campus volunteers • Hire professional / purchase skills

University Nanosatellite Program – Project Management Tips (FOUO)

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Maintaining Team Performance

Educational opportunity: practice leadership, communications, and resource management skills

How to deal with non-performers • No such thing – everyone has something to contribute!

• Make sure they’re not “in over their head” • Are they working on an aspect that interests them?

• Use buddy system How to mitigate screw-ups • In the lab – clearly label equipment and procedures!

• Administrative – identify back-up plans / vendors in advance • Use buddy system How to deal with team transition & student roll-overs • Good, organized documentation, mission requirements • Strong administrative support • Plan ahead, and keep on schedule!!!

University Nanosatellite Program – Project Management Tips (FOUO)

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Getting Started – Warnings !

Guess what – you are already behind!!

Two years may seem like a long time, but…

Program set up: don’t “spin your wheels” • Agree to a mission statement and requirements quickly (easier if you have pre-determined science objectives) • Think

small and simple

to start – this will be difficult enough as is • Assess team skills early Common engineering “effort pits” • CPU interfacing • Writing and testing software • Debugging electronics • Communications electronics (design AND fabrication) • Thermal analysis • Trying to organize a poor documentation plan

Beware

of:

• Summer breaks • Exam weeks

!

• Post-vacation malaise

University Nanosatellite Program – Project Management Tips (FOUO)

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Miscellaneous Thoughts

• Do you have good lab management processes?

• Where are you going to build your satellite?

• How do you plan to conduct mission ops?

• Are students aware of the local acquisition processes?

• How will you

objectively

review your work internally?

• “Documentation” means taking pictures, too!!!

• Bigger teams require better management skills

Follow-up questions or comments?

Email: [email protected]

University Nanosatellite Program – Project Management Tips (FOUO) Phone: (505) 853-2349

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