MMS-FIELDS Project Log
In the process of preparing the FIELDS instrument suite for integration into the MMS spacecraft, the team challenges and successes are many. The log below documents milestone approaches and achievements.
July 2015
FIELDS progress report (Word 7/15)...
June 2015
FIELDS progress report (Word 5/15)...
May 2015
FIELDS progress report (Word 4/15)...
April 2015
FIELDS progress report (Word 3/15)...
March 2015
MMS Launched on 3/12/2015.
FIELDS progress report (Word 2/15)...
February 2015
FIELDS progress report (Word 1/15)...
January 2015
FIELDS progress report (Word 12/14)...
December 2014
FIELDS progress report (Word 11/14)...
November 2014
FIELDS progress report (Word 10/14)...
October 2014
FIELDS near-term activities (Excel 10/30/14)...
FIELDS near-term activities (Excel 10/1/14)...
FIELDS progress report (Word file 9/14)...
September 2014
FIELDS near-term activities (Excel 9/17/14)...
FIELDS near-term activities (Excel 9/10/14)...
FIELDS progress report (Word file 8/14)...
August 2014
FIELDS near-term activities (Excel 8/27/14)...
FIELDS near-term activities (Excel 8/21/14)...
FIELDS near-term activities (Excel 8/13/14)...
FIELDS progress report (Word file 7/14)...
July 2014
FIELDS near-term activities (Excel 7/30/14)...
FIELDS near-term activities (Excel 7/23/14)...
FIELDS near-term activities (Excel 7/9/14)...
FIELDS near-term activities (Excel 7/2/14)...
FIELDS progress report (Word file 6/14)...
June 2014
FIELDS near-term activities (Excel 6/26/14)...
FIELDS near-term activities (Excel 6/18/14)...
FIELDS near-term activities (Excel 6/11/14)...
FIELDS progress report (Word file 5/14)...
FIELDS near-term activities (Excel 6/4/14)...
May 2014
FIELDS near-term activities (Excel 5/28/14)...
FIELDS near-term activities (Excel 5/21/14)...
FIELDS near-term activities (Excel 5/14/14)...
FIELDS near-term activities (Excel 5/7/14)...
FIELDS progress report (Word file 4/14)...
April 2014
FIELDS near-term activities (Excel 4/30/14)...
FIELDS near-term activities (Excel 4/24/14)...
FIELDS near-term activities (Excel 4/16/14)...
FIELDS near-term activities (Excel 4/9/14)...
FIELDS progress report (Word file 3/14)...
FIELDS near-term activities (Excel 4/2/14)...
March 2014
FIELDS near-term activities (Excel 3/19/14)...
FIELDS near-term activities (Excel 3/12/14)...
FIELDS near-term activities (Excel 3/5/14)...
February 2014
FIELDS near-term activities (Excel 2/26/14)...
FIELDS near-term activities (Excel 2/14/14)...
FIELDS progress report (Word file 2/14)...
FIELDS near-term activities (Excel 2/6/14)...
January 2014
FIELDS near-term activities (Excel 1/29/14)...
FIELDS near-term activities (Excel 1/23/14)...
FIELDS near-term activities (Excel 1/16/14)...
FIELDS progress report (Word file 1/14)...
FIELDS near-term activities (Excel 1/2/14)...
December 2013
FIELDS near-term activities (Excel 12/18/13)...
FIELDS near-term activities (Excel 12/12/13)...
FIELDS progress report (Word file 12/13)...
FIELDS near-term activities (Excel 12/4/13)...
November 2013
FIELDS near-term activities (Excel 11/20/13)...
FIELDS near-term activities (Excel 11/14/13)...
FIELDS near-term activities (Excel 11/6/13)...
FIELDS progress report (Word file 11/13)...
October 2013
FIELDS near-term activities (Excel 10/30/13)...
FIELDS near-term activities (Excel 10/23/13)...
FIELDS near-term activities (Excel 10/17/13)...
FIELDS near-term activities (Excel 10/9/13)...
FIELDS progress report (Word file 10/13)...
FIELDS near-term activities (Excel 10/3/13)...
September 2013
FIELDS near-term activities (Excel 9/18/13)...
FIELDS near-term activities (Excel 9/11/13)...
FIELDS progress report (Word file 9/13)...
FIELDS near-term activities (Excel 9/4/13)...
August 2013
FIELDS near-term activities (Excel 8/28/13)...
FIELDS near-term activities (Excel 8/21/13)...
FIELDS near-term activities (Excel 8/15/13)...
FIELDS progress report (Word file 8/13)...
FIELDS flight hardware status (Word file 8/13)...
FIELDS near-term activities (Excel 8/7/13)...
July 2013
FIELDS near-term activities (Excel 7/24/13)...
FIELDS near-term activities (Excel 7/17/13)...
FIELDS near-term activities (Excel 7/11/13)...
FIELDS progress report (Word file 7/13)...
FIELDS near-term activities (Excel 7/3/13)...
June 2013
FIELDS near-term activities 6/26/13)...
FIELDS near-term activities (Excel 6/12/13)...
FIELDS near-term activities (Excel 6/5/13)...
FIELDS progress report (Word file 6/13)...
May 2013
FIELDS near-term activities (Excel 5/29/13)...
FIELDS near-term activities (Excel 5/22/13)...
FIELDS near-term activities (Excel 5/15/13)...
FIELDS near-term activities (Excel 5/8/13)...
FIELDS flight hardware status (Word file 5/13)...
FIELDS progress report (Word file 5/13)...
April 2013
FIELDS near-term activities (Excel 4/30/13)...
FIELDS near-term activities (Excel 4/24/13)...
FIELDS near-term activities (Excel 4/17/13)...
FIELDS near-term activities (Excel 4/10/13)...
FIELDS status report (Word 4/09/13)...
FIELDS progress report (Word 4/09/13)...
FIELDS near-term activities (Excel 4/03/13)...
March 2013
FIELDS near-term activities (Excel 3/27/13)...
FIELDS near-term activities (Excel 3/20/13)...
FIELDS near-term activities (Excel 3/14/13)...
FIELDS status report (Excel 3/07/13)...
February 2013
FIELDS near-term activities (Excel 3/06/13)...
FIELDS near-term activities (Excel 2/27/13)...
FIELDS near-term activities (Excel 2/20/13)...
FIELDS near-term activities (Excel 2/14/13)...
FIELDS near-term activities (Excel 2/8/13)...
FIELDS progress report (Word file 1/13)...
FIELDS near-term activities (Excel 2/6/13)...
January 2013
FIELDS near-term activities (Excel 1/31/13)...
FIELDS near-term activities (Excel 1/9/13)...
FIELDS flight hardware status (Word file 1/8/13)...
FIELDS progress report (MS Word file 1/8/13)...
FIELDS near-term activities (Excel file 1/2/13)...
December 2012
FIELDS near-term activities (Excel file 12/19/12)...
FIELDS near-term activities (Excel file 12/12/12)...
FIELDS near-term activities (Excel file 12/5/12)...
FIELDS progress report (MS Word file 12/10/12)...
November 2012FIELDS near-term activities (Excel file 11/27/12)...
FIELDS project update (Excel file 11/14/12)...
FIELDS flight hardware status (Word file 11/8/12)...
FIELDS project update (Excel file 11/7/12)...
FIELDS project update (Excel file 11/2/12)...
October 2012
FIELDS near term activities (Excel file 10/31/12)...
FIELDS near term activities (Excel file 10/24/12)...
FIELDS near term activities (Excel file 10/17/12)...
FIELDS near term activities (Excel file 10/10/12)...
FIELDS flight hardware status (MS Word file 10/8/12)...
FIELDS near term activities list (Excel file 10/3/12)...
September 2012
FIELDS near term activities list (Excel file 9/26/12)...
FIELDS near term activities list (Excel file 9/19/12)...
FIELDS near term activities list (Excel file 9/12/12)...
FIELDS near term activities list (Excel file 9/5/12)...
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| MMS Instrument Suite Dec#1 with subset of the FIELDS hardware integrated. View enlarged image with hardware labels... |
August 2012
FIELDS near term activities list (Excel file 8/29/12)...
FIELDS near term activities list (Excel file 8/22/12)...
FIELDS near term activities list (Excel file 8/15/12)...
FIELDS flight hardware status (MS Word file 8/8/12)...
FIELDS near term activities list (Excel file 8/9/12)...
FIELDS near term activities list (Excel file 8/8/12)...
FIELDS near term activities list (Excel file 8/1/12)...
July 2012
FIELDS near term activities list (MS Word file 7/11/12)...FIELDS Flight Hardware status (MS Word file 7/9/12)...
June 2012
FIELDS near term activities list (Excel file 6/27/12)...
FIELDS near term activities list (Excel file 6/20/12)...
FIELDS flight hardware status (MS Word file 6/6/12)...
Progress Report (MS Word file 6/12)...
May 2012
FIELDS near term activities list (Excel file 5/30/12)...
Report Items:
Progress–FM S/N2 EDI GDU FFT and characterization measurements in vacuum are complete. First GDU test with FM1 CEB is underway. Preparing now for next week's PER.
–Distributed final report of the vibration and deployment tests of SDP prototype w/ radial wire clamp. No comments received. NCR closeout. Thermal test plan completed and distributed for RFA closure. New FM outer cylinders were received from plating; FM deployer assembly has resumed.
–FIELDS FM1 FIT testing, script & CPT development continues. Preparing now for next week's PSR.
–FM2 CEB mechanical assembly is ~50% complete.
–FM2 AEB TV test is complete at LASP. Calibration with RE is next.
–Test & X-Ray inspection of the EM4 SCM Sensor successful. This unit was "shock" tested with the QM Mag Boom. FM2 SCM Harness outgas certification complete. FM2 SCM ready for delivery to UNH.
–Remaining FM ADP Booms, S/Ns 5-8,were delivered to LASP
Problems–HV amplifier stuck during SN1 EDI Gun and GDE calibration at IWF. Investigation underway. Suspect bad solder joint on one of the deflection boards in the Gun.
–Repair of the UNH TV chamber platen thermal control unit is delaying the FM1 SCM Harness bake out and outgassing certification.
Upcoming–Complete the FM1 FIELDS FIT testing
–PER: S/N2 EDI GDU (21 May @UNH); EMI/EMC test (21-25 May @ Retlif)
–PSR: FM1 FIELDS, partial delivery (22-23 May @UNH); Delivery to IS (30 May)
–Delta PER: SDP S/N3, first unit with RWC (4 Jun, WebEx)
–FM2 SCM, FM2 AEB, FM3 AFG and FM3 DFG delivery to UNH (June)
FIELDS near-term activities list (Excel file 5/16/12)...
7 May 2012
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FM S/N2 EDI GDU setup for FFT and Characterization measurements in vacuum at UNH. |
Report Items:
Progress–FM2 S/N2 EDI GDU integration & bench test complete. FFT & characterization measurements in vacuum are underway. FM S/N1 EDI Gun & GDE calibration in vacuum begun 1 May @ IWF. First test of FM CEB planned for next week.
–Another vibration test of SDP prototype & radial wire clamp completed 3 May w/ suppport from Minh Phan. Much reduced wire movement w/ old protoflight levels, none w/ new levels. Deployment test next. All parts for first 4 flight units in fab: outer cylinders expected 14 May; RWC covers & pins on 18 May.
–FIELDS FM1 FIT testing, script & CPT development continues. Performed magnetics measurements for FM1 CEB, AEB & SCM using Southwest's procedure; sent data to Brian Anderson and Gary Won for review.
–FM2 CEB board acceptance testing at UNH continues. Housing, BPM, LVPS, CDPUs(2), AFG, DFG are ready for integration into CEB. EDI controller next week; DSP by end of May.
–FM2 set ADP Receiving Element & AEB vibration tests complete. TV tests next week.
–Remaining FM ADP Booms, S/Ns 5-8 accepted by LASP @ ATK. Delivery to LASP expected next week.
–FM3 sets AFG/DFG Sensor-Electronics tuning underway @UCLA and IWF.
–Plans for observatory-level SDP & ADP deployment tests discussed w/ SWRI and GSFC. Baselines agreed.
Problems–Decision: FM3 and 4 AFG will not participate in joint calibration with DFG (cost saving). DFG will be primary.
Upcoming–FRB: SDP S/N1 deployment failure and NCR closeout (9 or 10 May)
–PER: S/N2 EDI GDU (21 May @ UNH); EMI/EMC test (21-25 May @Retlif)
–PSR: FM1 FIELDS, partial delivery (22-23 May @UNH); IS Delivery 30 May
–Delta PER: SDP S/N3, first unit with RCW 4 Jun, (WebEx suggested).
FIELDS near-term activities list (Excel file 5/9/12)...
FIELDS near-term activities list (Excel file 5/2/12)...
20 April 2012
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FM S/N2 EDI GDU Integration at UNH with IWF and Univ. of Iowa support | |
Report Items:
Progress–FM2 set SCM Sensor & Preamp calibration complete.
–FM2 AFG and DFB sensors & electronics delivered to UNH.
–FM S/Ns 1-4 ADP Books delivered from ATK to LASP.
–Completed vibe & deployment of SDP prototype with radial wire clamp & peer review of FM design. Proceeding toward another vibe test & FM fab.
–FM S/N2 EDI GDU: Optics/Sensor integration complete; Gun & GDE, calbration at IWF complete; GDU integration underway at UNH.
–FIELDS FM1 Fit testing: Timing & test mesurements with the CEB, AFG, DFB, SCM & AEB are complete Interference testing planned for next week.
Problems–EDI GDE over-current trip during S/N FM2 Gun/GDE calibration. Investigated with S/N FM1 Gun; traced to transformer resonance effect; corrected with installation of resistor. S/N FM2 retrofit completed at UNH.
–AEB mounting hole pattern does not match either the MICD or the as-built deck hole pattern. Pursuing interface correction plate between AEB & IS Deck. Working with SwRI on revised MICD.
–SCM: Cracked Sensor cores. LPP Proposing reduced torque on holder screws and staking. Verified with QM.
Upcoming–Continue FM S/N2 EDI GDU integraton & bench test. IWF team at UNH.
–Acceptance testing of FM2 set of CEB boards at UNH. (target end Apr.)
–Continue FM1 FIELDS FIT testing, CPT and script development.
–Repeat vibration test of SDP prototype with flight-like outer cylinder & RWC.
–Remaining 4 ADP booms inspection at ATK. Delivery to LASP expected 11May.
FIELDS near-term activities list (Excel file 4/18/12)...
12 April 2012
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FM S/N 2 EDI GDU Sensor Optics Integration |
Report Items:
Progress–FM S/Ns 1-4 ADP Booms delivered from ATK to LASP
–Completed vibe & deployment of SDP prototype with radial wire clamp and peer review of FM design. Proceeding toward another vibe test & FM fab.
–FM S/N2 EDI GDU integration underway. Optics/sensor integration
is complete; Gun and GDE calibration at IWF complete.
–Performed magnetometer timing portion of the FM-1 FIT testing with CEB, AFG, DFG, SCM. FM1 AEB acceptance test complete at UNH.
–UNH accepted delivery of FM2 AFG and DFG sensors and electronics.
–FM2 set SCM Sensor & Preamp calibration complete. EM4 SCM Sensor tested successfully at LPP; the unit was part of GSFC mag boom (shock) test.
Problems
– EDI Gun over-current trip during S/N FM2 Gun/GDE calibration. Investigated with S/N FM1 Gun; traced to transformer resonance effect; corrected with installation of resistor. FM2 retrofit to be done at UNH.
– The AEB mounting hole pattern does not match either the MICD or the as-built deck hole pattern. Proposed solution: build an interface correction plate between AEB and MMS IS Deck.
Upcoming
– FM S/N2 EDI GDU integration and bench test. IWF & U.Iowa teams at UNH.
– Acceptance testing of FM2 set of CEB boards at UNH (target end April)
– Continue FM1 FIELDS FIT testing, CPT and script development
– Vibration test of SDP prototype with flight-like cylinder & RWC (1 May)
– FM1 magnetometer harness bake-outs (AFG, DFG, SCM)
FIELDS near-term activities list (Excel file 4/5/12)...
2 April 2012
FM1 Magnetometer FIT (timing) testing is underway.
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| FM1 Magnetometer FIT tests | |
23 March 2012
Parts fabrication and coating are complete for the Spin Plane Double Probe prototype with radial wire clamp, pictued below. Assembly is underway.
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Pictured above Radial Wire Clamp Assembly on SDP prototype. | |
Report Items:
Progress– FM1 set Receiving Elements and AEB calibration complete. AEB and ADP simulator received at UNH.
– FM2 deliveries to UNH: AEB and Probe through BEBs for SDP (from KTH)
– FM S/Ns 4 and 5 LVPS bench tests complete at KTH. Acceptance testing at IRFU to start next week.
– SCM Preamp S/N FM4 (ship set 3) TV test complete.
– ADP Boom plan forward reviewed/accepted after review of boom test history
Inspections complete, fillets repaired, final test efforts underway.
– EDI (UNH): Began work (following peer review) on a synchronous design for the Correlator (Xilinx). GDU FRR
– EDI (IWF): Optocoupler screening for replacement in S/N FM1 Gun complete. S/N FM2 Gun/GDE calibration underway. FM2 GDE over-current trip at 50°C due to Gun transient (not corona). Reset and continue.
Problems
– EDI Gun over-current anomaly due to brief (1ms) current excursion caused by transformer resonance. Investigating with the SN FM1 hardware. Meanwhile, continuing through calibration and GDU I&T with the SN FM2 Gun and GDE.
– Unable to replicate 1-time 3-minute AFG data drop during FM1 CEB TV test. UCLA @ UNH next week.
Upcoming
– Delivery and acceptance testing at UNH: FM2 AFG and DFG (from UCLA and IWF, 26-27 Mar).
– FIELDS FM1 FIT testing (magnetometer timing) (28-29 Mar)
– Vibration testing of SDP prototype with radial wire clamp implementation
– Southwest PM visit at UNH; schedule review (27-28 Mar)
– Delivery of ship set#1 ADP Booms to LASP (30 Mar)
9 March 2012
The Thermal Vacuum (TVAC) test on FM1 finished successfully, after 14 days. The first 3 days were non-operational tests, followed by 11 days of fully-powered round-the-clock testing in vacuum cycles of hot and cold temperatures, simulating space conditions.
FM2 Search Coil Magnetometer (SCM) is in calibration in at Chambon la Forêt, France, in a magnetically clean facility. This new facility was built entirely in wood, (no metal element was used for the mounting!). The testing has been ongoing for several weeks.
Pictured above are the new coils installed in this magnetically clean facility in Chambon la Forêt, France
Report Items:
Progress– FM2 Analog Flux Gate/Digital Flux Gate (AFG/DFG) joint calibration complete
– FM2 Search Coil Magnetometer calibration (SCM) complete
– EDI Gun Detector Unit Correlator (GDU) design and bench testing complete.
– FM1 set Receiving Elements and Axial Electronics Box (RE/AEB) thermal vacuum tests complete at LASP. RE/AEB calibration complete.
– FM1 Central Electronics Box (CEB) thermal vacuum test complete at UNH. One unresolved anomaly.
Problems
– During 2nd cycle at -30°C of FM1 CEB thermal vacuum test, the AFG stopped producing meaningful data for 3 minutes. Condition corrected itself. w/o operator intervention and did not reappear. Data sent to UCLA for analysis.
– FM S/N4 SCM Sensor has 2 cracked cores from post vibe thermal test; LPP will replace.
– FM S/N1 EDI Gun arcing isolated to a single optocoupler on the DEFL8 channel. IWF proceeding with I&T of FM S/N2 Gun and Gun Detector Electronics (GDE). Screening and wework plan presented to project last week.
– Over-shield options for Magnetometer Boom harnesses under discussion. FIELDS schedule concern.
– Spin Plane Double Probe (SDP) post-vibe deployment failure: Fabricating prototype deployer incorporating radial wire clamp (RWC) mechanism (modified SN1). Vibration week of 26 March. Fabricating new FM outer cylinders to support RWC. Working details of RWC design. Reviewed with SwRI and GSFC 27 February. Recent working visit (Phan@UNH).
– ADP boom FM SN7 broken longeron: Fillet & longeron inspection and sample test results were presented 25 February to FRB. Awaiting boom deployment test history summary for discussion of the test plan going forward.
Upcoming
– Delivery to UNH from LASP: FM1 AEB and ADP Simulator (15 March).
– FIELDS FM1 FIT (timing) testing. FM1 CEB, AEB (and ADP Simulator),
AFG, DFG, SCM; SDPs: EQM and SN1; IVM GDEs (2) (26-28 March).
– FM2 deliveries to UNH: AEB and Probe through BEBs for SDP (from KTH 12 March); FM2 AFG and DFG (from UCLA and IWF, 26 March).
24 Feb 2012
Currently the group is in the midst of a Thermal Vacuum (TVAC) Test of a flight model instrument under hot and cold operating conditions. This is the third of three environmental tests (hot/cold thermal vac):
Test 1: Electromagnetic compatibility/interferenceIs it producing any electromangetic problems or picking up any electromagnetic interference from other intruments?
Test 2: Vibration
Can it survive vibration conditions similar to the conditions it might encounter in-flight?
Test 3: Thermal vacuum test under hot and cold operating conditions.
The instrument is subjected to a temperature range necessary for space flight (-20°C to +50°C)
Hot-cold TVAC test (additional photos in gallery)-
Report Items
- Flight Model 1 CEB LBPS and DSP rework complete.
Workmanship vibe and FFt complete. TV test underway - Flight Model 1 set Receiving Elemets TV test underway.
Flight Model 1 AEB TV test starting today. - Prepared plan for Flight Model 1 FIELDS I & T and partial delivery to IS
Mitigates risk associated with likely SDP and GDU delays. - Delivered to KTH for test: Flight Model 2 sets AEB, S-BEBs, SDP Preamp/Cable assemblies;
Flight Model 4 & 5 LVPS. FMS set DSP Probe/Yo-Yo assemblies accepted at Univ. of Oulu.