1) FUSE Splinter Meeting at the 209th AAS Meeting in Seattle
2) FUSE Operations Status
3) FUSE Deputy Project Scientist Appointed
4) Cycle 8 Proposal Review
1) FUSE Splinter Meeting at the 209th AAS Meeting in Seattle
"POTENTIAL FUSE OPERATIONS BEYOND FY '08"
Time: January 8, 2007, 12:30 - 2:00 PM
Location: Mtg. rm. 607
The FUSE satellite has made a remarkable recovery from the attitude
control problems in late 2004. However, under the current NASA operations
plan
FUSE mission operations are slated to end in September 2008.
The scientific instrument remains healthy and provides a unique
capability for far-UV spectroscopy that will not be duplicated in the
foreseeable future. Approaching NASA about using this asset for additional
Far Ultraviolet observations will require:
1) identification of a mission model that radically reduces costs and
2) suggestions for compelling scientific investigations from the community.
Stimulated by the revitalization of the satellite, the FUSE Operations
Team has begun development of a new mission concept for FUSE that could
continue the availability of this unique resource into FY '09 and beyond. Key
elements of this mission concept include:
a) continued automation and streamlining of operations to reduce costs and
b) an emphasis on a small number of unique, high-priority science programs.
We are seeking community input on this operations concept. What are
the primary science drivers that will expand the legacy of FUSE in a
significant manner? What kinds of operations and at what level are required
to support the science? The results of these discussions will drive decisions
about further automation and the development of the concept in the upcoming
months, as we bring the concept to NASA for consideration.
This is your chance to have a major impact on the creation of a new
FUSE mission. Please take a few minutes out of your busy schedule to attend
this important splinter session and give us your advice and feedback.
BE THERE!!
George Sonneborn, FUSE Project Scientist
Warren Moos, Principal Investigator
William P. Blair, Deputy Principal Investigator
2) FUSE Operations Status
The FUSE satellite has now been back in science operations mode for
slightly over one year, after recovering from the latest reaction wheel
problem. FUSE Operations have continued to improve throughout the fall as
additional tweaks to the flight software and ground system have been tested
and implemented. The operations team is now achieving between 800 ksec and
1 Msec of new science data each month, a performance level many thought we
would never see again with FUSE. The operations team is excitedly awaiting
the Cycle 8 results and a new batch of science targets to carry us through the
next 18 months of operations.
As a reminder, you can always check on FUSE status on our Web page:
3) FUSE Deputy Project Scientist Appointed
Dr. Michael E. Van Steenberg (NASA/GSFC) has been appointed as the
Deputy Project Scientist for the FUSE mission. He will be supporting George
Sonneborn with FUSE GI program administration, including proposals, observing
programs, budgets, and grants. Michael's contact information is as follows:
michael.e.vansteenberg@nasa.gov and 301-286-7876.
4) Cycle 8 Proposal Review
NASA received 108 proposals for Cycle 8 observing time in September
2006. Peer review panels evaluated the proposals in November. NASA expects
to announce the results of the Cycle 8 proposal review by early January 2007.
Finally, the FUSE Project would like to wish you all
Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year!
The Observer's Electronic Newsletter is published by the FUSE project and is aimed at the FUSE user community.
Editor: B-G Andersson, FUSE Guest Investigator Officer.
The FUSE Project is managed by the Johns Hopkins University's Center for Astrophysical Sciences in Baltimore, MD, for NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center. The FUSE Principal Investigator is Dr. Warren Moos, the FUSE Program Manager at JHU is Mr. Randy Ewing, and the NASA Project Scientist for FUSE is Dr. George Sonneborn.