#PI_Daily
Starting January 1, 2020…
a new series of daily mission activity Tweets from Psyche Principal Investigator (PI) Lindy Elkins-Tanton.
#PI_Daily
The goal? To share an inside look at the chores, challenges, tasks, assignments, duties, and more taken on by a NASA mission PI!
Follow along on @MissionToPsyche or below.
Sometimes work is pretty prosaic: Working on getting all our published papers into the correct federal database.
And sometimes urgent: Being Bad Cop with a slow vendor.
And sometimes poetic: Dreaming of what Psyche might look like, so @peter_rubin can make new art.
— Lindy Elkins-Tanton (@ltelkins) June 25, 2020
Today is @missiontopsyche MMR (Monthly Management Review).
Two ex. issues:
– Subcontractor re-prioritizes your mission below another NASA mission, putting schedule in jeopardy, bc sub is having mfg challenges.
– Which high bay you can use determined by size of door. pic.twitter.com/RTb1CPuqNy— Lindy Elkins-Tanton (@ltelkins) June 24, 2020
Working on launch trajectories.
Discussions w instrument teams abt possible effects of extreme solar events. Are they fully covered by schedule margin? What abt cosmogenic radionuclides produced by same?
And with that, for you all a cute rabbit eating mesquite. pic.twitter.com/KheinlCmLz
— Lindy Elkins-Tanton (@ltelkins) June 23, 2020
Quiet day for me. Monitoring health stats at @NASAPsyche partners building hardware (so far so good!). About to deploy applications for next year’s art interns (Psyche Inspired!). And thinking a lot about how to use space exploration to inspire better education.
— Lindy Elkins-Tanton (@ltelkins) June 22, 2020
Oh, whistle while you work, the advice goes! 🤪
Feel like we’re a hive of bees 🐝 Big effort building, rebudgeting/rescheduling, & making sure @NASAPsyche, @escapade_mars, & Janus mission spacecraft all launch together safely. Space is hard!https://t.co/jRDqI9fRhU
— Lindy Elkins-Tanton (@ltelkins) June 17, 2020
#PI_Daily
Technical-Schedule-Risk board, where we assess how changes requested from the team would impact schedule and cost.ex: vendor charges $200K extra bc engineering design for new die is unexpectedly needed
BUT almost all the rest of the day spent on future of education!
— Lindy Elkins-Tanton (@ltelkins) June 11, 2020
All-team @NASAPsyche Webex. Henry Stone, our super-fab PM, gives summary of Directorate Program Mgt Council informational review yesterday, the culmination of our yr-long Festive Critical Design Review Season.
Good to see all sectors & interns to leadership online. pic.twitter.com/6aaMWnnmfb
— Lindy Elkins-Tanton (@ltelkins) June 10, 2020
Today: @NASAPsyche‘s post-CDR, informational Directorate Program Management Council meeting (DPMC). For three hours we will summarize where Psyche mission is on all fronts, and our forecasts.
Expecting clear communications and good advice and support.
Onward!
— Lindy Elkins-Tanton (@ltelkins) June 9, 2020
Today, launch trajectory trade, risk board, systems engineering, and more, but I thought it more important to post a series of ideas about
program management, equity, inclusion, and team functioning.
A thread of ideas that might be helpful for PIs of mission teams:
— Lindy Elkins-Tanton (@ltelkins) June 3, 2020
A letter I wrote to the @NASAPsyche team this morning.
—-
Dear Psyche team,I am thinking about you all and hope you are coping in some way with the very difficult circumstances of our world right now. I hope that you and yours are safe.
— Lindy Elkins-Tanton (@ltelkins) June 3, 2020
There are multiple checks and independent assessments of a mission’s schedule and budget. Today we’re online listening to the report of another one…would rather be working the science and building the @NASAPsyche spacecraft! pic.twitter.com/mrFaVfETrk
— Lindy Elkins-Tanton (@ltelkins) May 29, 2020
A day of @NASAPsyche rest!
Great chat with @adamspacemann about the small worlds in our solar system.
Work on @II_ASU pilot projects, and Technological Leadership major, and @beaglelearning‘s partnership with @Gilmore_MoveUp and his colleagues in Mesa. 🚀🛰️📡🌑
— Lindy Elkins-Tanton (@ltelkins) May 22, 2020
Fourth hot-fire test for the SPT 140 thrusters for @NASAPsyche spacecraft! Going well.
(this photo from previous test, but looks much the same!) pic.twitter.com/UjPrBQfdXc
— Lindy Elkins-Tanton (@ltelkins) May 21, 2020
Prepping for Center Mgt Commitment mtgs @ JPL, & Directorate Program Mgt Council mtg w NASA HQ, both post-CDR activities.
Also responding to requests for performance evaluations.
Who out there has an example of a great performance eval format? Asking for a friend.
— Lindy Elkins-Tanton (@ltelkins) May 20, 2020
#PI_Daily
Now: Webex presentations from capstone teams who designed landers, samplers, mission designs for future asteroid exploration (~20% of total @NASAPsyche teams). Prototypes: walkers, jumpers, bouncers, tethers, Archimedes screw propulsionGreat to hear the students talk! pic.twitter.com/C8IuXuF9Qk
— Lindy Elkins-Tanton (@ltelkins) May 19, 2020
Post-CDR, right back to work full-speed. Prepping for JPL & NASA HQ decisional meetings in the wake of CDR, also…
– optimizing launch and trajectory
– planning pre-launch book on instruments and science plans
– continued oversight and planning for hardware builds pic.twitter.com/VnhKStWp7S— Lindy Elkins-Tanton (@ltelkins) May 19, 2020
#PI_Daily @NASAPsyche festive Critical Design Review season, w its 18+ reviews, is officially over!
No official results for a few wks, until NASA HQ decisional mtg, but feeling hopeful, & thrilled w how team has faced challenges & created paths forward.
Our treat last night. pic.twitter.com/zBANBkF8kf
— Lindy Elkins-Tanton (@ltelkins) May 16, 2020
Day 5 of Critical Design Review: Now we wait.
Standing Review Board in caucus all morning. We’ll hear a report-out to @NASAPsyche leadership this afternoon!
(image via Google search from joyfullifemagazine) pic.twitter.com/Gq4ZMQPeDx
— Lindy Elkins-Tanton (@ltelkins) May 15, 2020
Day 4 of @NASAPsyche project-level CDR:
Power
Avionics and Flight Software
Testbeds
GN&C
Business managementAwesomely connected and alert review board, really helping us.
Good time for a replay of this video. Bits of design out of date, but instruments are right! pic.twitter.com/QiMN5vRkbN
— Lindy Elkins-Tanton (@ltelkins) May 14, 2020
View from my desk this morning (out the bedroom sliding door). #tinyrabbit is supporting @NASAPsyche Critical Design Review, Day 3. #PI_Daily pic.twitter.com/4WMPVlNbsj
— Lindy Elkins-Tanton (@ltelkins) May 13, 2020
#PI_Daily@NASAPsyche CDR Day 2
45 min in and @nzw is giving a great state-of-the-payload as Payload Systems Engineer AND Payload Deputy.
GRNS from @JHUAPL
Magnetometer from @DTUtweet
Imagers from @ASU – @Jim_Bell PISun-blocking filters..temp sensors..survival heaters.. pic.twitter.com/1QKjoqMsI4
— Lindy Elkins-Tanton (@ltelkins) May 12, 2020
#PI_Daily @NASAPsyche Critical Design Review Update
Running 15 min ahead, 236 people online.
Worked through all the risks (sample matrix below) under Project Systems Engineering, led by brilliant @marstimrdad.
We’ve got no red risks at the moment, but some schedule stressors. pic.twitter.com/crSo4gqKND
— Lindy Elkins-Tanton (@ltelkins) May 11, 2020
Two things I can share from the first hour of CDR: My own remarks, and our mission schedule with on-brand color palette! pic.twitter.com/tc3sWO4Rlg
— Lindy Elkins-Tanton (@ltelkins) May 11, 2020
T minus 4 minutes to the first day of @NASAPsyche project-level Critical Design Review!
🌑🛰️📡🚀
— Lindy Elkins-Tanton (@ltelkins) May 11, 2020
As @AlanStern said, most every day for a PI includes work on their mission & other work.
Saturdays for me usually filled with work needing sustained concentration, not possible in weekdays. Today: revisions of a paper & SBIR proposal for @beaglelearning!
— Lindy Elkins-Tanton (@ltelkins) May 9, 2020
Wow double NASA week! Final prep for Psyche CDR done; start bright & early Monday. Also, wrapped up @EuropaClipperspecial team assignment (if you’re not up on this mission, check it out! BIG one!)
Signing off with our Psyche model. https://t.co/U1i55GZPeI
— Lindy Elkins-Tanton (@ltelkins) May 8, 2020
At the heart of being a PI is challenge of coordinating & leading across many institutions – leading thru influence, bc the ppl you are working w do not directly report to you. A vast exercise in networking & team identity.#PI_Daily @NASAPsyche
(graphic:https://t.co/kgWgrsu0Sc) pic.twitter.com/Mm3el5poA8— Lindy Elkins-Tanton (@ltelkins) May 6, 2020
Good news: instrument hardware progress. Good news on plans for making up schedule, if we really are gently ramping up. 6 days to CDR.
Hard hard work ahead, but at least a path.
Good news in a hard time, like this Blackfoot Daisy in our backyard caliche. pic.twitter.com/vNhviiqDD8
— Lindy Elkins-Tanton (@ltelkins) May 6, 2020
Last day of combing through Critical Design Review charts! Making sure everyone who should be, is invited. Prepping introductory remarks.
And now, the final charts are done and delivered!
The board will have 6 days to read and review pic.twitter.com/KiU3q8bMi0
— Lindy Elkins-Tanton (@ltelkins) May 5, 2020
Struggling with how to run a mission and fulfill the wishes of the university that I be a professor and also direct the @II_ASU.
Working hard to be ready for CDR.
Lovely sunset signals I can put it all under a fermata til tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/rRk6Alao1J
— Lindy Elkins-Tanton (@ltelkins) May 1, 2020
Taking care of yrself, kids, aging relatives, neighbors, pets, is hard, while working. CDR in 13 days.
Today had ALL-TEAM Webex meeting w 138 ppl! Updates, encouragements, thx, children, pets. I feel better & hope others too.
One key team member here… pic.twitter.com/p9T8XWSugF
— Lindy Elkins-Tanton (@ltelkins) April 29, 2020
Last preparations of slides for Critical Design Review: due to board on Monday.
Tomorrow morning — all-team meeting! Can’t wait!
— Lindy Elkins-Tanton (@ltelkins) April 29, 2020
Another “readiness-to-proceed” mtg. We are Ready for Critical Design Review. If we pass, we’re clear to build more hardware, COVID allowing.
Also launch target & trajectory trade study! V exciting. An example (not ours) fm Alan Pitz on ResearchGate. pic.twitter.com/pwFmXNTeVc
— Lindy Elkins-Tanton (@ltelkins) April 27, 2020
CDR dry run…CDR dry run…CDR dry run…CDR dry run…teaching…CDR dry run…
Oh I wish I had a llama at one of these meetings! Space llama!https://t.co/09Sg7Pk1XQ
— Lindy Elkins-Tanton (@ltelkins) April 23, 2020
Today: Mainly @NASAPsyche Project Systems Engineering & Change Control Board mtgs (changes to temp, magnetometer power, launch req’ts) and Psyche Monthly Mgt Review.
Note to self: Building hardware without touching anything or being near any people is difficult.#PI_Daily pic.twitter.com/7TS9oeCvD0
— Lindy Elkins-Tanton (@ltelkins) April 22, 2020
It’s Psyche Psuper Tuesday!
9 mtgs…3 are 1:1 with leadership. End of each Tuesday, I know the latest from every part of the mission.
COVID is making a hard row to hoe, but the team remains amazing. Pic from 2019, abt 1/6 of team.
Stay safe, everyone! pic.twitter.com/TVA7bafRcQ
— Lindy Elkins-Tanton (@ltelkins) April 21, 2020
Preparing for Critical Design Review, with all the unknowns caused by COVID. Luckily – amazingly – we are still OK on schedule & budget.
Good news today: build and test of science instruments making good progress under safe conditions.
Hart (2018) IEEE pic.twitter.com/yeunRelaSu
— Lindy Elkins-Tanton (@ltelkins) April 20, 2020
1:1 w student collaborations lead – always excited abt those programs!
Email abt social media plans.
Quick turnaround on NASA HQ answers for a press inquiry.
Scheduling 2 other interviews.
Results @Maxar SEP Chassis CDR: PASS!https://t.co/mGNr9zgaLY
— Lindy Elkins-Tanton (@ltelkins) April 16, 2020
Day 2 @NASAPsyche Solar Electric Propulsion Chassis Critical Design Review @Maxar.
SPT Thrusters:
For total mission, expect <1,300 latch valve cycles (qualified 17,000), < 1,300 pressure regulator cycles (qual 12,000). Good robust margin. This level of detail all day.#PI_Daily pic.twitter.com/LNXexKpaSF— Lindy Elkins-Tanton (@ltelkins) April 15, 2020
Day 1 of @NASAPsyche Solar Electric Propulsion Cassis Critical Design Review @Maxar. Btwn 80-110 virtual ppl all day.
Right now, covering design goals for component stiffness. Ex: Solar arrays first bending mode must be >so-and-so Hz.
Going well: reviewers engaged!#PI_Daily pic.twitter.com/u08QhhFfyQ
— Lindy Elkins-Tanton (@ltelkins) April 14, 2020
Scrubbing @NASAPsyche technical, sched, & risk list.
Will areas need more resources? Are parts coming in above/below budget?
All project areas; dozens of items.
Key project philosophy Q: Do we roll into budget now, or hold for more info? #PI_Daily
(https://t.co/9ZLppAIIUR) pic.twitter.com/3oT7uUHknk
— Lindy Elkins-Tanton (@ltelkins) April 13, 2020
How to keep 800+ @NASAPsyche team updated in this time of change & insecurity? (We’re powering ahead! Tracking COVID impacts & working on key decision pts.)
Sol’n: wkly emails & bi-weekly all-team Webex coffee hrs, + team lead comms#PI_Daily
(credit: https://t.co/5mv9ZvYPNV) pic.twitter.com/lX4B1jCjTd
— Lindy Elkins-Tanton (@ltelkins) April 10, 2020
Working on how to do a graduate thesis defense entirely virtually (inc toasts of congratulations at the end!) [[@geologymaiden and sulfur in planetesimal cores!!]]
Working on which of the success criteria for @NASAPsyche CDR in May may be impossible in virtual world. pic.twitter.com/0QN2CXEulR
— Lindy Elkins-Tanton (@ltelkins) April 9, 2020
Q: What is *every* team doing today?
A: Trying to keep people safe, and assessing threat of COVID work stoppage to schedule, and attempting to plan ahead.…and @NASAPsyche JPL staff meeting, NASA HQ tag-up, Technical-Schedule-Cost mtg, JPL HQ tag-up. pic.twitter.com/Ry3r6g4XID
— Lindy Elkins-Tanton (@ltelkins) April 7, 2020
Oh that beautiful @NASAPsyche spacecraft…central cylinder and more already built by @Maxar!
Updated video model by @peter_rubin.https://t.co/lKe7zmUB6h
— Lindy Elkins-Tanton (@ltelkins) April 6, 2020
#PI_Daily To be ready to interpret data once we’re there, @NASAPsyche team used all current data & created broadest plausible interpretations for Psyche (lots of new data since proposal-writing!).
Thx @AGU_Eos for highlighting! Thx @peter_rubin for art!https://t.co/VL7Scp7XBP
— Lindy Elkins-Tanton (@ltelkins) April 6, 2020
The new normal within mission teams…6:00 AM in Phoenix, on an instrument review being held virtually, 53 people online. Reviewers on point, questions flowing already. #PI_Daily
(not today’s Moon, just emotionally evocative) pic.twitter.com/FzzMEUauq7
— Lindy Elkins-Tanton (@ltelkins) April 2, 2020
A mysterious mission leadership activity is hours spent in silence, listening to meetings.
Key to being an effective PI is knowing what is happening throughout mission team. Requires listening, little speaking.
All day @NASAPsyche @SpaceX kickoff for launch prep. #PI_Daily pic.twitter.com/jT9ND4PtZO
— Lindy Elkins-Tanton (@ltelkins) April 1, 2020
#PI_Daily Feeling positive abt our plans for remote project Critical Design Review.
But mostly, an #acronymfestival(AF). From an email:
“This week is extremely full with SEAG, MWIG and other meetings that have conflicted with PSET prep…”
I hope acronyms still make you smile.
— Lindy Elkins-Tanton (@ltelkins) April 1, 2020
Monday check-ins w teams…& conversation on how to optimize the big project Critical Design Review, in May, to be held virtually.
The best news is bad news, brought early.
We need all the reviewers to find those risks and misses!#PI_Daily
(photo: copper sheet, not Psyche) pic.twitter.com/bNainveEED
— Lindy Elkins-Tanton (@ltelkins) March 30, 2020
How might Psyche’s magnetic field look?
Some new space physics by @OranSpaceDr and Ben Weiss. Here’s magnitude of field as measured from @NASAPsyche spacecraft in Orbit D, using simulation of Psyche rotating; blue blob shows how magnetosphere is blowing in the wind.#PI_Daily pic.twitter.com/dqIOJN56ui
— Lindy Elkins-Tanton (@ltelkins) March 26, 2020
Early start, magnetometer milestone review Day 2 (6 – 8:30 AM)
Then 5 other Psyche calls or videocons
Then Monthly Mgt Review, abridged version (1 – 5:00 PM)
Yesterday & today were marathons; Thurs & Fri look more human. Being busy, hearing people’s voices is good.#PI_Daily
— Lindy Elkins-Tanton (@ltelkins) March 25, 2020
Woooo what a #PI_Daily.
Just finishing. Almost 12 hours today. All reviews for the day done and done well.
And we’re having a sit-up challenge, tracked in Slack: telecons need breaks. 10 extra if you check the news.
Here’s a Northern cardinal to remind us to find the joy. pic.twitter.com/zA01Ao2o4f
— Lindy Elkins-Tanton (@ltelkins) March 25, 2020
Hi all! #PI_Daily for @NASAPsyche
6:00 AM start for magnetometer review, and then the usual Super Tuesday. All virtual. 🖥️⌨️🖱️📡🛰️🚀
Proj Sys Eng 1:1
Proj Sci 1:1
NASA HQ tagup
Staff mtg
Technical-Schedule-Cost mtg (key for ongoing budget control)
JPL mgt mtg
Loooooong day. pic.twitter.com/OOsiCJuRdB— Lindy Elkins-Tanton (@ltelkins) March 24, 2020
Monday #PI_Daily.
Keeping track of the team. Who can still work on hardware? How is virtual work going? We’re doing as well as we can, and still take care of the @NASAPsyche team. Of course, lots of people home with kids. People first.
And so, yesterday was planting the garden. pic.twitter.com/GQOWOR1sBM
— Lindy Elkins-Tanton (@ltelkins) March 23, 2020
#FestivalOfTelecons for #PI_Daily…
– Standing Review Board update
– Launch Vehicle Provider planning (@SpaceX!)
– @NASAPsyche leadershp tagup
– New project teams 4 @II_ASU!
– 4 1:1s
– Board chat @EuropaClipperOngoing: adjst to hourly #NewNormals
pic of backyard for😃 pic.twitter.com/ZGnu2zK2lS
— Lindy Elkins-Tanton (@ltelkins) March 20, 2020
Wild day of Zoom meetings, @ASU & @NASAPsyche.
Psyche avionics CDR 8-9 AM & when I can fit it in later
Faculty candidate interview
Student collabs lead 1:1
2 grad student 1:1
Lab group
SESE faculty
Teaching online!
A meeting about teaching online next fall.Big #PI_Daily pic.twitter.com/CrNCSeQ3Et
— Lindy Elkins-Tanton (@ltelkins) March 19, 2020
#PI_Daily today:
Avionics CDR (2nd of 3 full days)
Project Systems Engineering Team (PSET, every Weds morning)
Change Control Board (CCB, every Weds. morn)
1:1 with Henry Stone, Psyche Project Manager#WebexForever #Zoomforever #VirtualCorona— Lindy Elkins-Tanton (@ltelkins) March 18, 2020
Off to the races with the @NASAPsyche mission’s first entirely online review: our Avionics Critical Design Review. Starting strong and clear.#PI_Daily pic.twitter.com/GUZUKgM43Q
— Lindy Elkins-Tanton (@ltelkins) March 17, 2020
Wishing you all calm & health, also
happy (16) Psyche Discovery Day!
On this day in Naples in 1852, Annibale de Gasparis discovered our asteroid, the 5th of the 9 he discovered in his lifetime. Here he is, 45 years later (credit: Wikipedia). #PI_Daily finding the small joys pic.twitter.com/ij7cDfg2PS
— Lindy Elkins-Tanton (@ltelkins) March 17, 2020
Today: steep gradient into new COVID-19 world.
All parts of @NASAPsyche now work- or shelter-at-home, or a few exempt ppl at work: @ASU, @NASAJPL, @LockheedMartin, other subs.
I’m so proud of the team. We’ll do our best.
Stay safe and well, friends.#PI_Daily
— Lindy Elkins-Tanton (@ltelkins) March 17, 2020
A number of the missions, @NASAPsyche included, are running reviews this spring. Here is a collection of suggestions for running more effective remote reviews. Many thanks to @AlanStern and @colkin for contributing ideas!#PI_Dailyhttps://t.co/WdA5wgMiqt
— Lindy Elkins-Tanton (@ltelkins) March 15, 2020
Yesterday was discussions abt how to run @NASAPsyche w coronavirus threats.
How many people can’t work remotely (i.e. making hardware)?
Can we run reviews remotely, or will important issues be overlooked by reviewers w/o the in-person immediacy? Anyone have tips?#PI_Daily pic.twitter.com/8bjGy6QGwH
— Lindy Elkins-Tanton (@ltelkins) March 13, 2020
Change Control Board for @NASAPsyche this AM, on magnetometer mass and schedule of s/c assembly.
Then 2 hrs with @SpaceX to plan the path from now until launch! trajectories, coupled loads, tuning ISP…
Now, 1/2 day offsite w @II_ASU & Psyche ASU staff for strategy.#PI_Daily
— Lindy Elkins-Tanton (@ltelkins) March 11, 2020
Mostly, figuring out how to maximize the effectiveness of Webexed reviews, and how to best conduct the business of the mission with travel and meeting restrictions. #PI_Daily
— Lindy Elkins-Tanton (@ltelkins) March 11, 2020
Pretty quiet @NASAPsyche #PI_Daily.
Met w ASU team for mutual updates. Plans for articles, events, Twitter. Updates on budget. Asked for big pile of swag to take to @SpaceX.
Reviewed paper drafts.
Made giant list of spring travel, for coronavirus restrictions review. Sigh. pic.twitter.com/F3wBxYuRLf
— Lindy Elkins-Tanton (@ltelkins) March 9, 2020
Squirrel wishes you all a happy Friday.
Relevant to #PI_Daily for @NASAPsyche bc I walk past this tree on the way to the office, &
today was Risk Board and @SpaceX Kick-off meetings, both telecons from my office.
Both filled w laughter & some cheering. Truly.
A good day. pic.twitter.com/4FT21RpgBG
— Lindy Elkins-Tanton (@ltelkins) March 6, 2020
Interesting analysis presented in @NASAPsyche Project System Engineering Team today. We need the tradeoffs in propellant and arrival time at Psyche (etc) risked by missed thrusting time. Looking good. Brilliant analysts @NASAJPL #PI_Daily pic.twitter.com/3GXIg2x5T6
— Lindy Elkins-Tanton (@ltelkins) March 4, 2020
Typical #PI_Daily day for me…
at @Maxar for @NASAPsyche Power CDR, Day 3/3.
Step out for webex: Project Systems Eng mtg and Change Control Board (all key ppl must approve any eng change).
Simultaneously arrange via email a later call with another PI.
Thus, triple-booked.
— Lindy Elkins-Tanton (@ltelkins) March 4, 2020
Radiation degradation, coverglass loss factor, screening factor…& more included in solar array performance modeling. Got to go from 1 AU out to 3.3 AU. @NASAPsyche Power CDR, at @Maxar in San Jose.
Power allocation, fault protection, reliability…#PI_Daily pic.twitter.com/fKtOdBskzn
— Lindy Elkins-Tanton (@ltelkins) March 3, 2020
Step N of this #PI_Daily: finished in LA and now boarded for San Jose. Things are going well in @NASAPsyche-land. Hope to be at my hotel by 8:00. #happybusy #alsoabittired https://t.co/qc2xVzj6JE
— Lindy Elkins-Tanton (@ltelkins) March 3, 2020
Step 1 of @NASAPsyche travel day: boarded for LAX for instrument mtg.
Later, to San Jose for @Maxar power system CDR tomorrow & Weds.
Read 2nd round of proofs for “What is Psyche?” paper, soon on @jgrplanets.
Plus, still glowing fm launch vehicle self: @SpaceX !#PI_Daily
— Lindy Elkins-Tanton (@ltelkins) March 2, 2020
Big news!!!
@NASAPsyche will launch with @SpaceX !!#PI_Daily https://t.co/jRDqI9fRhU
— Lindy Elkins-Tanton (@ltelkins) February 28, 2020
Today, reviewing instrument thermal, vibe, and shock tests. So far so good!
And opening our new space hardware lab at @asu!#PI_Daily pic.twitter.com/VKlDJU4Cn3
— Lindy Elkins-Tanton (@ltelkins) February 28, 2020
When PIs collide! This week @colkin and I are on the @eapsMIT visiting committee. We miss you @Jim_Bell and Hal! #PI_Daily pic.twitter.com/ZxicHpzOwE
— Lindy Elkins-Tanton (@ltelkins) February 25, 2020
We have 475 students on 83 @NASAPsyche capstone teams at 9 universities. Some are working on lander concepts! We’ve designed a surface testbed (all together now: we don’t know what the surface is like!) to be replicated at each univ. Here’s lab group assembling the 1st! #PI_Daily pic.twitter.com/iNBy3qDz8y
— Lindy Elkins-Tanton (@ltelkins) February 24, 2020
Sunset from the plane home from Burbank yesterday. Good two days @NASAJPL. Today, @ASU, teaching, visitors. #PI_Daily pic.twitter.com/Jv8J5PumiS
— Lindy Elkins-Tanton (@ltelkins) February 20, 2020
Current data says Psyche’s prob 30-60% metal. To spread ideas & that we don’t know what Psyche is, it’s my happy #PI_Daily duty to work with artists and communicators. Here’s a tiny new glimpse of @peter_rubin‘s work imagining a Psyche made of big chunks of rock and metal! 🌚🛰️ pic.twitter.com/Km54mJZaX1
— Lindy Elkins-Tanton (@ltelkins) February 18, 2020
Boarded for Burbank — two days this week at @NASAJPL, as w many weeks.
Today also long convo with another PI brainstorming over some decisions.
And check out this beauty! PI perk: Officially allowed to be obsessed w meteorites. #PI_Daily pic.twitter.com/r6ttAWE9KL— Lindy Elkins-Tanton (@ltelkins) February 18, 2020
Today’s @NASAPsyche #PI_Daily… working w a part of the team that needs some help. People are most miraculous and the most devastating part of every project. Thank goodness not a devastation this time but needs thinking & acting. Always learning abt ppl, organizations, mgt.
— Lindy Elkins-Tanton (@ltelkins) February 13, 2020
#PI_Daily Today is @NASAPsyche Thermal Subsystem CDR. It’s complex to keep all the parts of the s/c at their preferred temp – radiators remove heat, heaters add it, lots of models of how heat will conducted. Google space-rated heat pipe! Here’s a sense of the effort that goes in: pic.twitter.com/IoE3BXFtVo
— Lindy Elkins-Tanton (@ltelkins) February 11, 2020
Today’s #PI_Daily: launch clocks! Time streaks along and we labor to keep up! @NASAPsyche @evgenya SPARCS @RPappalardo @EuropaClipper@hardgrove @lunahmap pic.twitter.com/RrsuNk21Sg
— Lindy Elkins-Tanton (@ltelkins) February 11, 2020
What do I naturally do on a vacation day with my big brother @jameselkins? Tucson mineral show! And here’s a giant slab of Muonionalusta, a IVA iron meteorite, that might be from Psyche! #PI_Daily pic.twitter.com/9uxzOsCImx
— Lindy Elkins-Tanton (@ltelkins) February 7, 2020
Key acronyms for the Gamma Ray and Neutron Spectrometer CDR:
High purity germanium = HPGe
Mini Low Voltage Converter = MLVC
Sensor Control Unit Module = SCUMAmazing world. #PI_Daily
(HPGe from https://t.co/cquUsypuD1) pic.twitter.com/MuqFS4qhK4— Lindy Elkins-Tanton (@ltelkins) February 5, 2020
Purpose of Critical Design Reviews: Determine readiness to proceed w implementation inc fab, assembly, integration, & test.
Over two days we’ll examine all eng. aspects, inc. interface control docs, status of design drawings, test results, much more.#PI_Daily#festiveCDRseason
— Lindy Elkins-Tanton (@ltelkins) February 4, 2020
We’re off & running @JHUAPL w @NASAPsyche Gamma Ray & Neutron Spectrometer Critical Design Review!
This is 1st instrument in #festiveCDRseason – 17 subsys & instr CDRs, then project-level CDR in May.#PI_Daily pic.twitter.com/PsJHf8CWM1
— Lindy Elkins-Tanton (@ltelkins) February 4, 2020
This morn met w @NASAPsyche Program Exec & w @loriglaze, Planetary Science Div Dir. Critical lessons I am always trying to follow: Speak clearly, completely, regularly w NASA HQ. Partner. Share challenges. Ask 4 advice. OK for now!
Also, bought some sweet @NASA swag!#PI_Daily pic.twitter.com/sR7irj3jns— Lindy Elkins-Tanton (@ltelkins) February 3, 2020
So simple and it really speaks to me. @NASAPsyche’s student art program is a constant source of joy. #PI_Daily https://t.co/DKXpiQBBiM
— Lindy Elkins-Tanton (@ltelkins) February 3, 2020
Different kind of sunset tonight — that’s the pond at @JHUAPL! Tonight, Superbowl, tomorrow, @NASA HQ. #PI_Daily pic.twitter.com/VQ449VgpUU
— Lindy Elkins-Tanton (@ltelkins) February 2, 2020
Boarded at 7:15 this Sunday morning — off to @JHUAPL for our @NASAPsyche Gamma Ray and Neutron Spectrometer Critical Design Review! Also a Monday stop in to @NASA HQ to chat with the great @loriglaze. Should be a good week! #PI_Daily pic.twitter.com/8kVbPgOFRi
— Lindy Elkins-Tanton (@ltelkins) February 2, 2020
Today: tech review of @geologymaiden‘s @NASAPsyche Master’s thesis! She answers the Q, What would the relative compositions of metal cores that would form in planetesimals composed of a range of chondritic materials? Quite a range! (Tiny sample below) GOOD JOB Hannah! #PI_Daily pic.twitter.com/yMT3LjqDiD
— Lindy Elkins-Tanton (@ltelkins) January 31, 2020
Q: What is asteroid (16) Psyche?
12,000-word A: “Observations, meteorites, and models: A pre-flight assessment of the composition and formation of (16) Psyche,” accepted today @jgrplanets !
Short A: We don’t know! (Oooo the mystery! Let’s go find out!)@NASAPsyche, #PI_Daily pic.twitter.com/jbLLk5niZf
— Lindy Elkins-Tanton (@ltelkins) January 30, 2020
all schedules, all budgets, all staffing, all challenges, all risks. How is each subsystem and instrument prepared for their upcoming CDRs? Testbeds ready? Even, what’s the current design for shipping box for WHOLE s/c to the Cape? #PI_Daily
— Lindy Elkins-Tanton (@ltelkins) January 30, 2020
Intensive @NASAPsyche PI-ing today. PS and I discuss onboard data file structure for minimizing data loss if memory units are zapped w space radiation. Eng. Change Board: updated thermal requirements btwn s/c and DSOC. Now project MMR! Updates on EVERYTHING including…#PI_Daily
— Lindy Elkins-Tanton (@ltelkins) January 30, 2020
8:00 phone: lunar settlement tech
9:00 Magnetometer Mthly Mgt Review
1:00 lunch w @jamestanton
1:30 misc, packing
3:00 transit > airport & @NASAPsyche staff mtg
4:00 email
4:30 board > Burbank
6:30 dinner in Pasadena w Prog Exec, @Jim_Bell, others fm team
8:30 email#PI_Daily pic.twitter.com/bgQ5AJMZup— Lindy Elkins-Tanton (@ltelkins) January 29, 2020
Light @NASAPsyche work today: discussing her thesis on models of core solidification and how they reproduce iron meteorite compositions with @geologymaiden, and giving a talk on Psyche and the importance of team culture for the #NAEGrandChallenges series. #PI_Daily
— Lindy Elkins-Tanton (@ltelkins) January 28, 2020
A disparate basket of tasks 4 @NASAPsyche #PI_Daily. Plans 4 next online course. Responses to talk invites. Consults with another PI. Strategizing science representation (me, Carol Polanskey our PS, or @Jim_Bell?) on CDRs, which have settled into final schedule. We hope. Also…
— Lindy Elkins-Tanton (@ltelkins) January 24, 2020
Spent the morning talking w @NASAPsyche grad students @geologymaiden and @JohnMChristoph about research, on the role of sulfur in planetesimal core formation, and the ability of solar wind and micrometeorites to produce a metal regolith, respectively. Good progress! #PI_Daily
— Lindy Elkins-Tanton (@ltelkins) January 24, 2020
At @NASAJPL working w @NASAPsyche team. Topics: shock and vibe for instruments, order of events and location of ATLO, CDR prep (festive CDR season! Don’t forget!), slowness of IEEE parts delivery (causing some trouble). Basically, working the challenges! #PI_Daily pic.twitter.com/LvIHMu8kox
— Lindy Elkins-Tanton (@ltelkins) January 22, 2020
mini-#PI_Daily update: I’m @NASAJPL for my usual 2-day visit. Will meet w/project manager, deputy PM, lead engineer, project scientist 1:1, and other group mtgs. All update on “worry beads,” top risks, recent changes.
PM: “I am in process of updating my list of care-abouts.”
— Lindy Elkins-Tanton (@ltelkins) January 21, 2020
Got back yesterday from Chile & two @NASAPsyche talks. Today, update call w David Lawrence, lead of gamma-ray & neutron spectrometer on their prep for GRNS CDR, coming up fast. Now in Pasadena hotel, ready for regular team meetings at @NASAJPL tomorrow. #PI_Daily pic.twitter.com/qgMPiUeehR
— Lindy Elkins-Tanton (@ltelkins) January 21, 2020
On flight, reviewed ECRs on:
Lightning suppression assemblies.
Access depth for xenon fill/drain valve.
Launch Services requirements for s/c to be kept at 21C +/- 3C and 30-60% relative humidity.
Adding margin to harness length btwn each camera head and its DEA board.#PI_Daily— Lindy Elkins-Tanton (@ltelkins) January 19, 2020
Bc of the complexity of @NASAPsyche s/c, any change someone wants has to be checked by all possible related systems. We have a Change Control Board and a structure of Engineering Change Requests (ECRs). Reviewed on plane: see Tweet Part2! #PI_Daily
Here’s the top of the form. pic.twitter.com/tUDlqx5CPw
— Lindy Elkins-Tanton (@ltelkins) January 19, 2020
During launch, of course, the spacecraft (“s/c”) experiences vibration and shock (“shock & vibe”) during launch. A lot of shock & vibe. We spend a lot of time on all the tests and models to make sure everything will be safe. #PI_Daily (2/2)
— Lindy Elkins-Tanton (@ltelkins) January 17, 2020
Last week to her surprise she learned I was coming to Talca to give a talk about the mission, and we met, and she made me a gift of her painting. There are not enough characters to express all the feelings. (2/2) #PI_Daily pic.twitter.com/R6oiCiPkAK
— Lindy Elkins-Tanton (@ltelkins) January 16, 2020
In Talca, Chile, where there was an 8.8 earthquake in 2010. Here’s a house that was ruined then. Speaking to about 600 people in the opera house, with many other speakers, part of #CongresoFuturo2020. #PI_Daily pic.twitter.com/DL2xJzV8NK
— Lindy Elkins-Tanton (@ltelkins) January 15, 2020
Completed first @NASAPsyche talk at #CongresoFuturo2020. Exploration as inspiration to solve the problems confronting us. Now to Talca to give another talk tomorrow. #PI_Daily
— Lindy Elkins-Tanton (@ltelkins) January 14, 2020
Still polishing up the @NASAPsyche talks for #CongresoFuturo2020 in Santiago & Maule, Chile, this week. Wonderful event and excited to introduce everyone to our mission. But meanwhile, missing all the important meetings and updates back at the ranch! A hard balance. #PI_Daily pic.twitter.com/YbXw2XFu7j
— Lindy Elkins-Tanton (@ltelkins) January 13, 2020
Off on an airplane to give three @NASAPsyche talks! So today, working on talks and sitting on airplanes. #PI_Daily
— Lindy Elkins-Tanton (@ltelkins) January 12, 2020
Today I talked with a @NASAPsyche graduate student about his progress in research, and with the lead of our magnetometer build about progress there.
Tonight: resubmit the revised “What is Psyche?” paper! #PI_Daily
Image of a metal world by Chris Sullivan, amazing animator. pic.twitter.com/ZZxzwlfC7v
— Lindy Elkins-Tanton (@ltelkins) January 11, 2020
These Monthly Management Reviews are super-helpful deep dives into how each instrument, subsystem, or the whole project is progressing. Technical, schedule, cost…etc. Usefulness depends upon open fearless communication! Always working on that. #PI_Daily (2/2)
— Lindy Elkins-Tanton (@ltelkins) January 9, 2020
Today Project Systems Eng mtg, Risk Board mtg, PM/PI 1:1. We track all identified risks to the mission using 1-5 scale for likelihood & consequence. We go over all top risks, and we look at any new ones. For success & safety conversation has to be open! #PI_Daily @NASAPsyche pic.twitter.com/NsP5xuvtyk
— Lindy Elkins-Tanton (@ltelkins) January 8, 2020
Today’s @NASAPsyche #PI_Daily-4 mtgs: lead engineer, proj scientist, staff mtg, weekly tag-up of NASA HQ, Marshall, JPL, & ASU leadership. Catching up on top risks & challenges. Big topic: cadence of subsystem CDRs up to project CDR. Will we be ready? (Y!) https://t.co/qwoxDjJR88
— Lindy Elkins-Tanton (@ltelkins) January 8, 2020
Jan 6 @NASAPsyche #PI_Daily from the PI…fielding final comments on new paper integrating all current data on Psyche. Discussing possible import of meteorite Steinbach. Phone calls and emails on #LPSC2020, #PI_Daily (!), a staff change due to retirement. Good day.
— Lindy Elkins-Tanton (@ltelkins) January 7, 2020
Three years ago yesterday @NASAPsyche and @NASALucy2Trojan were selected for flight. Those three years surely have moved fast! Now we are under 1,000 days until launch.
And for anyone interested in the effective #PI_Daily of that day, here’s a blog: https://t.co/8rDY2DGnzc?
— Lindy Elkins-Tanton (@ltelkins) January 5, 2020
.@NASAPsyche #PI_Daily for Sun. Jan 5: Spent ~4 hours revising our new team paper, colloquially called “What is Psyche?” What does all the latest data add up to? A super-mysterious asteroid!
Special thanks to our three reviewers for being helpful, substantive, and kind! Whoa!
— Lindy Elkins-Tanton (@ltelkins) January 5, 2020
The more prosaic part of space mission work today: writing recommendation letters for junior members of the team who are applying for new jobs or other internships. When I really know the person and we have actually worked together, I am happy to write. 🧐⌨️🖨️ #PI_Daily
— Lindy Elkins-Tanton (@ltelkins) January 4, 2020
Long computer day. Looking at results of a Psyche occultation (@colkin 👀) and reading a series of #LPSC2020 abstracts from the Psyche team — submission Jan. 7! Ideas about the collisional history of Psyche, and updates on data analysis for the GRNS, among others. #PI_Daily!
— Lindy Elkins-Tanton (@ltelkins) January 3, 2020
…confirmed scheduling project CDR May 11-15. This is #FestiveCDRseason, 17 CDRs plus the big project CDR. It’s the season of the giving and receiving of pptx decks!
Plus, this is what it looks like outside, second-to-last day before heading back to Arizona. pic.twitter.com/LNzxlNVAFD
— Lindy Elkins-Tanton (@ltelkins) January 2, 2020
Two #PI_Daily posts today! In our important weekly 1:1 Project Manager Henry Stone and I discussed the scheduling and budgeting of our C&DH (command and data handling, the brainstem of the s/c — ahem, spacecraft) build, and …
— Lindy Elkins-Tanton (@ltelkins) January 2, 2020
So far for @NASAPsyche, a 1-hr interview for an article, & two phone calls on mission processes w ppl working on other missions. Later, usual hour-long catch-up between myself & Henry Stone, the Project Manager (top boss) for Psyche at @NASAJPL. One more update later. #PI_Daily
— Lindy Elkins-Tanton (@ltelkins) January 2, 2020
Today, Jan. 1, 2020, for @NASAPsyche I read three reviews for a paper we’ve written abt what the asteroid Psyche might be, and I mentally prepared to make the revisions to the paper over the weekend. #PIDaily
— Lindy Elkins-Tanton (@ltelkins) January 1, 2020
Look for #PI_Daily
I started today with @NASAPsyche mission and will aim to tweet most days with what I’m working on. Share the journey! (2/2) 🛰🚀🛰
— Lindy Elkins-Tanton (@ltelkins) January 2, 2020
Hello space enthusiasts!
Starting today, several mission Principal Investigators & Deputy PIs will be daily tweeting their everyday tasks, efforts, challenges in working on their missions. Goal is to share the experience! (1/2) 🚀🛰🚀
— Lindy Elkins-Tanton (@ltelkins) January 2, 2020
My inaugural #PIDaily tweet! Will share PI activities for @NASAPsyche regularly. Watch the hashtag for other PIs and Deputy PIs to share their chores, challenges, tasks, assignments, duties, etc on a near-daily cadence.
— Lindy Elkins-Tanton (@ltelkins) January 1, 2020