From Science Goals To Reality: The Role of Systems Engineering

1
From Science Goals To Reality The Role of
Systems Engineering
MLA (planetary)

• Carolyn Krebs
• Associate Director for Science Engineering
• Code 601
• May 3, 2005

WFC3 (Earth- orbiting)
IRMOS (ground-based precursor)
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How does systems engineering relate to science?

• A scientist needs a measurement
• Some are primarily interested in the data and
  less interested in how it is obtained
• Others have excellent concepts in mind for
  obtaining the measurement and data, but they are
  content to leave the implementation thereof to
  engineers
• Still others are highly engaged in all aspects of
  the measurement from concept through design and
  final implementation
• The systems engineer serves as a translator to
  enable all three scenarios

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What does translation mean?

• With a science instrument-driven mission, it is
  rare that nice, tidy requirements will be handed
  to you with a red bow on top
• The job probably hasnt been done before
• The measurement will likely push the edge of what
  is possible
• Technology readiness of some elements is often
  not mature
• If a similar measurement has been done before, a
  new implementation or extension of the heritage
  can be as challenging as the first time need to
  figure out what transfers and innovate where it
  doesnt

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What does translation mean? (contd)

• A crucial job of the science systems engineer is
  to thoroughly understand what the scientist is
  trying to measure and how
• Get involved very earlyglimmer in the eye
  stage
• Understand the science being performed, how the
  scientist intends to take the data, how the data
  will be used, and what the key drivers are
• Ask a lot of questions that relate to an eventual
  implementation
• Write the answers down as placeholders for an
  eventual requirements document/ISAL run
• Encourage the scientist to begin defining a
  Design Reference Mission (DRM) for how the
  mission and instrument will be operated, as well
  as the science requirements - will become the
  touchstones of trade studies and eventual
  requirements documents

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What does translation mean? (contd)

• As the concept matures, the science systems
  engineer iterates with the scientist and
  discipline experts to facilitate and define the
  possible
• Informal trade tree sessions are key
• Allocation of the largest margins to the riskiest
  components from the beginning can save a lot of
  grief later - start bottoms up!
• Be prepared to work in a sometimes unstructured
  environment and to accept the translator role of
  facilitating (not demanding) chaos into order
  
• Respect that not everyone in the external world
  works to the standard GSFC processes find a way
  to accommodate that, when necessary, that is
  consistent with the intent of the GSFC processes
• Respect that not everyone within GSFC works to
  the GSFC processes the same way consider your
  team and the job, then tailor the approach to be
  consistent with them and the GSFC processes
• Respect that many scientists bring excellent
  engineering talents to the table include them in
• Dont forget that an instrument flies on a
  mission include them in

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What does translation mean? (contd)

• Trades involve more than pure engineering
• Sometimes engineering has to yield to science
  imperatives (systems engineer facilitates with
  disciplines)
• Sometimes the scientist has to yield to
  engineering realities (scientist facilitates with
  science team)
• At some point, a proposal wins, and the more
  traditional systems engineering processes segue
  in
• The science systems engineer is crucial to that
  transition
• Bullets above continue to apply

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The role of the new Code 600 Associate Director
for Science Engineering function

• To provide enabling engineering and technology
  support to Code 600 for instrument and mission
  concept development, in partnership with AETD
• Performs supervisory and career development
  function for engineers badged to SED
• 100 matrixed to, and co-located with, SED
  Divisions/Labs/Branches
• Coordinates externally matrixed engineering
  support from AETD
• Oversees internal SED engineering processes and
  practices

The engagement of systems engineering is crucial
to fulfilling this charter
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What is being done to enhance science systems
engineering?

• The bullpen
• Early engagement of systems engineering has been
  posited as crucial to sound concept development
• The scientists have also expressed a desire to
  have much earlier access to systems and
  discipline engineering skills when developing a
  concept
• The ISAL has expressed a desire for more maturity
  on entering concepts (pre-pre-ISAL)
• A bullpen concept, providing ready access to a
  systems-led team of discipline experts at first
  light of an idea, has been proposed to satisfy
  these mutually complementary desires
• Planned embedding of a systems engineer in each
  science division

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Really stories are better than viewgraphs

• Questions for the panel members
• Tell one story that you think really illustrates
  the link between science and systems engineering
• If you had one word of advice for systems
  engineers, what would it be?