Dr. David McComas, IMAP PI
With the new year comes great advancements for the IMAP mission. Many firsts are happening as instrument engineering model (EM) assemblies go from paper to metal and are put through initial testing and calibration. “First light” reports from imagers and An instrument which is used to discover that something is present somewhere, or to measure how much of something there is. components have been rolling in weekly, along with pictures of the assemblies or completed engineering model, such as these:
The Solar Wind and Pickup Ion (SWAPI) instrument collects and counts solar wind particles and pick-up ions (PUIs). EM in chamber, The GLObal Solar Wind Structure (GLOWS) instrument investigates the structure of the solar wind and how it shifts during the solar cycle. GLOWS also investigates the distribution of the helioglow found in the extreme ultraviolet (EUV) range of the Sun’s light using a non-imaging single-pixel photometer that will collect and count Lyman-α photons found in the helioglow as IMAP spins on its axis. EM Optics in Thermal Testing, The IMAP-Hi instrument consists of an identical pair of imagers that collect, count, measure, and map energetic neutral atoms (ENAs) of energies from 0.4 to 15.6 kiloelectron volts (keV) from two different angles. Together they will be able to image the global sky. EM in Calibration Chamber, The Compact Dual Ion Experiment (CoDICE) instrument on the IMAP spacecraft measures the quantities and concentrations of interstellar pick-up ions that have passed through the heliosheath from outside the solar system. CoDICE also collects and characterizes solar wind ions, including suprathermals. TOF in chamber, The Magnetometer (MAG) instrument measures the strength and direction of the magnetic field in interplanetary space as the field is carried past the IMAP spacecraft by the solar wind. It consists of two fluxgate magnetometers installed on a boom arm that will deploy post-launch, extending the instruments away from the spacecraft to minimize magnetic interference of spacecraft and instrument electrical systems. EM Electronics Box, IMAP ULTRA Deflection Assy, The Solar Wind Electron (SWE) instrument collects and counts electrons from the solar wind in a range of energies from 0.2-2000 electron volts (eVs). EM Electronics Box, The Interstellar Dust Experiment (IDEX) instrument collects and analyzes interstellar dust and interplanetary dust particles found in our solar system to better understand their compositions, the speeds they travel, their concentrations within our solar system, and their interactions with the solar wind. EM parabolic grid, IMAP LO EM Outer An Electrostatic Analyzer is an instrument used in ion optics that employs an electric field to allow the passage of only those ions or electrons that have a given specific energy. It usually also focuses these particles (concentrates them) into a smaller area., IMAP LO EM Pre-A device at the entrance to a sensor instrument that narrows a beam of particles or waves, such as light or energetic neutral atoms, into a more parallel or aligned stream. This helps improve the precision and accuracy of measurements or imaging by reducing the spread of the beam; the “gateway” into a sensor.
Image Credit: SWAPI, Princeton University; The IMAP-Hi instrument consists of an identical pair of imagers that collect, count, measure, and map energetic neutral atoms (ENAs) of energies from 0.4 to 15.6 kiloelectron volts (keV) from two different angles. Together they will be able to image the global sky., Los Alamos National Laboratory; The IMAP-Lo instrument collects, counts, categorizes, and maps interstellar neutral atoms (ISN) and energetic neutral atoms (ENAs) of energies less than 40 kiloelectron volts (keV). IMAP-Lo is mounted on a pivot platform that allows it to adjust its field-of-view to capture data across almost the entire sky, and to measure interstellar neutral atoms throughout most of the year., University of Bern; Ultra, John Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory; The Magnetometer (MAG) instrument measures the strength and direction of the magnetic field in interplanetary space as the field is carried past the IMAP spacecraft by the solar wind. It consists of two fluxgate magnetometers installed on a boom arm that will deploy post-launch, extending the instruments away from the spacecraft to minimize magnetic interference of spacecraft and instrument electrical systems., Imperial College London; GLOWS, Space Research Center, Polish Academy of Sciences; The Compact Dual Ion Experiment (CoDICE) instrument on the IMAP spacecraft measures the quantities and concentrations of interstellar pick-up ions that have passed through the heliosheath from outside the solar system. CoDICE also collects and characterizes solar wind ions, including suprathermals. and SWE, Southwest Research Institute; The Interstellar Dust Experiment (IDEX) instrument collects and analyzes interstellar dust and interplanetary dust particles found in our solar system to better understand their compositions, the speeds they travel, their concentrations within our solar system, and their interactions with the solar wind., Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics
With teams coming together in the labs, amazing work is going forward with great enthusiasm and excitement. Initial testing of components and assemblies are underway in clean rooms and chambers across all the partner institutes and bringing in great results. This is the exciting A measure of the flow of events. when we see how close test results on the built models come to the design predictions. Some results give us opportunity re-evaluate design details, and some give us results even better than predicted. For example, SWAPI’s EM An instrument used in ion optics that employs an electric field to allow the passage of only those ions or electrons that have a given specific energy. It usually also focuses these particles (concentrates them) into a smaller area. proved to be able to handle much higher voltage than its original design specification from its heritage mission! EM boards from SWE, GLOWS, and HIT all have been assembled and are either headed to or completed bench testing. Ultra’s sensors have obtained first light and other instrument Electromagnetic spectrum is the entire range of the various kinds or wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation, including (from short to long wavelengths) gamma rays, x-rays, ultraviolet, optical (visible), infrared, and radio waves. are also undergoing initial vibration tests.
The payload is comprised of 10 separate instruments designed to work collaboratively together, with each data point essential in creating a more complete picture of the workings of the The bubble-like region surrounding the solar system inflated by the solar wind, shielding the solar system from interstellar radiation. and The interstellar medium is the matter that exists in the space between the stars within a galaxy. This matter includes ionized and electrically neutral gas (primarily hydrogen and helium), dust, and cosmic rays. The ISM plays a crucial role in the lifecycle of stars and galaxies. It is the reservoir from which new stars are born and into which old stars expel material when they die.. It is essential that instrument leads and teams also work collaboratively together, not only having awareness of what is happening for each instrument at its home with one of our 24 international partners, but that they also are able to support each other in ensuring that each instrument is completed and performing at its best. To coordinate these efforts, the Payload Project Manager is key in not only tracking each instrument team’s work status and budgets for the mission, but also in helping build relationships and communication between the teams, creating the ability to function as a whole team no matter where they are in the world. This project management role also requires experience in engineering and instrumentation to best be able to understand what is needed from start to finish in a spacecraft build. Susan Pope is someone that I have worked closely with for over 20 years and have been privileged to see her exemplary work as an engineer, systems manager, and now IMAP’s Payload Project Manager. Her career accomplishments, as well as her passion for working with people, are only two of the many strengths that she brings to our team, as I hope you see in this highlight of Susan and her work. GO IMAP!
IMAP Team Spotlight Feature: Susan Pope, Payload Project Manager
Photo Credit: Susan Pope
As a newly graduated mechanical engineer, Susan Pope hadn’t yet considered the space science industry as something she would spend her career working in, let alone becoming the payload manager for the IMAP mission. “I happen to be in the right place at the right time,” Susan shares about how she found the opportunity to work at Southwest Research Institute, or SwRI, as it is known more familiarly. Her work with an engineering firm during college earned her invaluable experience to bring with her into position work in Instrument Design Systems. Twenty-five years later, Susan has built an impressive career path working in instrumentation, systems, and payload management for several NASA missions alongside cherished long-time colleagues that she is rejoining on the IMAP mission team. Having these established relationships not only makes the job more efficient in her perspective, but she adds with a smile, “It also makes it richer.”
Payload project managers require both technical knowledge and a desire to work with people. Having years of engineering experience and knowledge enables Susan to know what questions to ask of the different teams and keep everything moving towards the final build and launch. However, it is the role of communicator that Susan sees as the largest part of her job of keeping everyone informed, on schedule, on budget, and motivated. Susan also finds working with all the different types of people found across the instrument teams as one the best aspects of what she does. “It’s what drives my work,” she mentions when speaking about getting to know the many as individuals. It was getting to work directly with people that she missed most when working at home became necessary last year and was a fuel factor in getting back to the office as soon as possible for her.
Photo Credit: Susan Pope
As Susan’s successes in her career brought her more management opportunity, she saw how just as valuable communication and building relationships with team members was to being an effective manager as understanding the tech side of it was. She returned to school to get a master’s degree, this time in engineering management, ensuring that she had the skills and tools to continue to excel in her work. Susan’s long line of career successes in different engineering management and engineering roles each contributed to preparing her to confidently leap into managing the entire payload for IMAP.
Along with the Electromagnetic radiation arranged in order of wavelength. A rainbow is a natural spectrum of visible light from the Sun. Spectra are often punctuated with emission or absorption lines, which can be examined to reveal the composition and motion of the radiating source. of personalities and experience levels found on instrument teams, Susan finds it immensely exciting to see the instruments go from paper to being built to getting information back from them. It is a very exciting phase for her right now with hardware being assembled, put in chambers, and seeing real data come back.
“Getting to see the data come in and see what the scientists do with it – show us why we should be excited about it,” is a third aspect that she finds most exciting about working on IMAP.
Photo Credit: Susan Pope
Susan prefers to be as active outside the office as she is in. She loves any physical activity outdoors, especially hiking, and she loves it even more when she gets to do it with friends and family. Her year is often sprinkled with planned adventure trips with long-time friends that can give her views and vistas different than those found at home in Texas, such as the mountain hikes that she has collected over the years. When home, she enjoys all the time she can get with her husband and teenage son, who she at times can convince to hit the trail with her. Cooking is also a past time that Susan has a love for, which she shares readily with those around her. She enjoys the challenge of creating a dish that is both A-level delicious and deeply nourishing.
What is the event or moment of the IMAP mission Susan thinks will be the most exciting? “It already happened; being asked to be the Payload Project Manager for IMAP!” With her keeping everything moving toward launch, there are sure to be many more exciting moments to come.