The TIMED mission was originally conceived around 1990 as a very ambitious multi-spacecraft mission. It eventually was launched on December 7, 2001 as a more modest but very capable mission using a single spacecraft. The program was caught in all the dramatic changes that NASA went through in this time period. At one point it […]
The Earth Observing System Data and Information System (EOSDIS) was started as part of the Earth Observing System (EOS). This system was meant to collect, process, distribute, and archive the large amount of data that was to be generated by the EOS program and to archive and distribute NASA Earth science data. The early concepts […]
The Vegetation Canopy Lidar (VCL) was selected in March 1997 as the first Earth System Science Pathfinder (ESSP) spaceflight mission. It was scheduled for launch in January 2000. As of the writing of this case study it has yet to fly. In light of the VCL history, it is easy to second-guess the selection and […]
This case study was developed in the interest of continuously improving program and project management at NASA. To augment a traditional case method approach, a theoretical framework adopted was from the sociotechnical systems tradition. These exercises prompt participants to understand MSTI success from the perspective of the NASA Project Cycle. Project cycle variances and key […]
This case study was developed in the interest of continuously improving program and project management at NASA. To augment a traditional case method approach, a theoretical framework adopted was from the sociotechnical systems tradition. These exercises prompt participants to understand AGATE success from the perspective of the NASA Project Life Cycle. Project Life Cycle variances […]
This case study was developed in the interest of continuously improving program and project management at NASA. These exercises prompt participants to understand HSR success from the perspective of the NASA Project Cycle. Project cycle variances and key practices and tools are identified in the context of project management.
The Wide-Field Infrared Explorer (WIRE) mission was meant to study the formation and evolution of galaxies. Its telescope was so delicate it had to be sealed inside a solid hydrogen cryostat. But when, shortly after launch, a digital error ejected the cryostat’s cover prematurely, hydrogen discharged with a force that sent the Small Explorer craft […]
It’s 1995. You’re the Johns Hopkins University APL Project Manager and have been contracted by NASA for the NEAR mission. Near’s Critical Design Review (CDR) has already passed, and everything’s been designed and coded. You’re right on target to meet the lofty goal of launching the spacecraft only 27 months from the mission’s inceptions. Suddenly, […]
In this interactive case study you will be presented with a real management situation faced by the NASA-contracted Southwest Research Institute team during the groundwork of the Imager for Magnetopause-to-Aurora Global Exploration (IMAGE) mission. As the Project Manager you will need to respond in the most effective and timely manner possible. Your decision will directly […]
