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SwRI Department of Space Operations
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Southwest Research Institute leverages its significant experience in many facets of the space science business to build and maintain high quality operations centers for unmanned space missions. Our Science Operations Center (SOC), part of our Department of Space Operations (DoSO) hosts these missions:

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Science Operations Planning
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++

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Successfully collecting science data from a space mission requires a close
collaboration between the science team and the science operations uplink
engineering team. DoSO developed web-based tools facilitate prototyping,
developing, and tracking science operations timelines and observation
definitions.

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Science Operations Uplink Engineering
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

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Choreographing sequences of commands to control spacecraft and instrument
operations is key to successfully executing science observations. An experienced
uplink engineering team translates the science objectives into observation
sequences. With visualization tools the uplink team creates simulations of the
specified observations allowing review and refinement of the observations –
enhancing the ability to collect unique science data.

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Automated Data Pipelines
++++++++++++++++++++++++

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When the data from a spacecraft arrives at Earth, it is typically not in a form
useful to research scientists. Converting the raw packets of data to useful
science data files is the job of an automated pipeline that will assemble
packets, detect missing data, and correlate housekeeping information. Data will
then be converted to scientifically usable form. For example, images will be
converted to standard and easily readable formats.

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Also, to find the data needed, scientists need easy electronic access and
database query ability. The Science Operations Center designs custom pipelines
and web-based access for all kinds of science data.

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Data Archiving
++++++++++++++

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For the benefit of the space science community, missions archive data for
generations to come. NASA has special facilities dedicated to this effort, such
as the Planetary Data System (PDS), the National Space Science Data Center
(NSSDC), and the Solar Data Analysis Center (SDAC). Archiving is a very
specialized operation that can become unwieldy, complex, and costly if not done
properly from the start. Southwest Research Institute has the tools, experience,
and key relationships to help this process go smoothly. On missions with
repeating groupings of data (such as orbiting missions), automation can be
applied to simplify future archive production and delivery.

We take full responsibility for archiving data with the appropriate NASA archive
facility, helping to smooth the data or review process, and we will ensure your
submitted datasets are compliant with the standards.

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Space Technologies
==================

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   The Radiation Assessment Detector (RAD) for the Mars Science Laboratory is a
   1.5 kg. particle radiation spectrometer designed to characterize the
   habitibility by life on the surface of Mars.

Engineers and scientists within DoSO are involved in the design and development
of various types of spaceborne instrumentation. Our expertise includes analog
and digital electronics, power supplies, sensor systems, optical systems,
particle radiation detection and spectroscopy, UV spectroscopy, and laser
ablation resonance ionization mass spectrometry. Our labs include facilities
for: electronics prototyping, development and test; optical system test and
integration; radiation spectroscopy instrumentation; and laser ablation
resonance ionization mass spectrometry. In 2010 we will commission our newest
lab, which is a ~2500 sq. ft. facility equipped with clean rooms, vacuum
facilities, and prototyping/manufacturing infrastructure, all dedicated to the
development, integration, and test of spaceflight instrumentation.


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Mission Management and Systems Support
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

DoSO is also the home of experienced Project Managers and Systems Engineers with
decades of experience in leading space science missions and instrument
developments. Our personnel posses experience that extends from new opportunity
capture through decommissioning. We are able to support both internal and
external Principal Investigators with all aspects of planning, capturing, and
implementing their instrument or mission. Our diversified experience includes
missions across the full spectrum of the NASA space science enterprise:
Planetary, Solar, Astrophysics, and Earth Environmental Monitoring. Our
extensive experience includes working with partners in academia, industry,
government, and foreign institutions.

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Respected in Space Science
++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Southwest Research Institute’s Division of Space Science and Engineering has
provided decades of industry-leading hardware, software, and project leadership
for the space science community. Our state-of-the-art laboratory facilities have
been used for the design, fabrication, and testing of modern spacecraft
instruments that have flown on missions that return science data to Earth for
the purpose of exploration and discovery.

The Department of Space Operations (DoSO) specializes in enabling mission
science teams to get the science data they want. This is enabled by a deep
understanding of science as well as mission needs. Better data products make for
better research results, and the two most important factors that ensure quality
data are proper science planning and timely and correct ground data processing.

In Boulder, Colorado, SwRI’s Department of Space Operations is complemented by
the Department of Space Studies (DoSS), which conducts basic observational,
modeling, and theoretical research in a wide range of solar system and
astrophysical topics.