Course SC1139

Systems Engineering and Large Telescope Observatories

Thursday, 20 June 2024 • 08:30 - 17:30 Japan Standard Time
Level: Introductory
Member: $775.00
Non-member: $930.00
Student member: $412.00
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Modern astronomical observatories are becoming larger and more complex with many components working together to achieve the common goal of gathering useful information for astro-scientists. Successful engineering of these observatories is enabled by following a systems engineering viewpoint of looking at the whole. This viewpoint requires a multidisciplinary breadth and the ability to find a balance among 1) the system user's needs and desires, 2) the manager's funding and schedule constraints, and 3) the capabilities and ambitions of the engineering specialists who develop and build the system. The system engineer is sometimes described as the person on the program who should know the partial derivative of every parameter of the system with respect to every other parameter. This course introduces the concepts and models that are used to evolve a system from an abstract vision to the final validated and verified operational system. Examples are given that provide insight into the variety of engineering disciplines and typical subsystems found in observatories for optical astronomy observatories (X-ray through IR).

Learning Outcomes

  • explain the stages within a System Engineering Life Cycle Model
  • create a context diagram for the system, identifying both internal and external interfaces
  • construct an iterative process for flowing from Science Mission goals to system level functional and physical requirements down to component level requirements within the constraints of the development process
  • demonstrate how to evaluate trades and analyses of alternatives
  • conduct maturity, risk assessment and tracking analyses to identify and manage technology development and risk mitigation activities
  • explain the role of technical budgets for managing requirements and the mathematics behind them
  • explain the allocation of tolerances
  • determine the basics of probabilistic risk assessment
  • explain the design process
  • provide examples of Technical Performance Metrics monitoring as a tool in requirements management
  • describe the use of integrated modeling as a tool for design development and system verification
  • explain why development of a new system is intrinsically risky and why systems for scientists are necessarily new
  • explain what other non-technical, so-called soft skills are needed for program and mission success

Audience

Scientists, engineers, or managers who wish to learn more about system engineering as applied to mission definition and engineering development of large telescope astronomical observatories. The focus will be on space based observatories, but with relevant overlap with ground based systems and broader applications. Undergraduate training in science or engineering is assumed.

Instructors

Jonathan W. Arenberg - Northrop Grumman Corp. (United States)
Jonathan W. Arenberg is Chief Mission Architect for Science and Robotic Exploration at Northrop Grumman. He is responsible for mission design, formulation, and relevant technology development for all areas of space science. Dr. Arenberg has worked on the Chandra X-ray Observatory, James Webb Space Telescope and co-invented the Starshade concept for the imaging of extra-solar planets. He has also worked on major high-energy and tactical laser systems, laser component engineering and metrology issues. Currently, his research includes the optimization of the manufacturing process for x-ray optics, a concept for a terahertz observatory with a large inflatable primary reflector and alternate architectures for NASA’s Next Great Observatories. He is the author of over 250 conference presentations and refereed publications and co-author of a recent SPIE book on systems engineering. He holds 2 European and 13 U.S. Patents. Dr. Arenberg is an SPIE visiting lecturer and Fellow, and an Associate Fellow of the AIAA.
Allison A. Barto - Ball Aerospace (United States)
Allison A. Barto is Director of Defense Missions & Solutions at BAE Space & Mission Systems, overseeing operational missons and coordinates strategy and technology investments to support the Department of Defense. Allison spent over two decades developing payloads for NASA and DOE astrophysics missions, including 17 years in both technical land leadership roles on the James Webb Space telescope where she led the team responsible for delivery of the telescope optics and electronics, as well as for the overall optical design, verification, and on-orbit optical phasing and commissioning of the Observatory. Barto was part of the study team for future UV/O/IR large, flagship telescopes, a member of NASA’s in-Space Assembled Telescope Study and follow-on SMART Think Tank on in-space servicing, manufacturing, and assembly. She serves on the Management Advisory Committee for the European Southern Observatory’s Extremely Large Telescope project. Barto is an SPIE board member and Fellow and was the co-lead of Ball Corporation Women’s Resource Group from 2012-2018. Barto was a recipient of the Women in Aerospace Achievement Award for her technical contributions to JWST Optical Verficiation Planning.

Textbooks

COURSE PRICE INCLUDES the eBook Systems Engineering for Astronomical Telescopes (SPIE Press 2018) by Paul A. Lightsey and Jonathan Arenberg.

Additional notes

This course is also available in our pre-recorded online format. Learn more about our online courses here.

Attendee testimonial:
A very engaging presentation, and the speakers were very well-spoken and knowledgeable and eager to share their experience, which was very appreciated.