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ESPO; Services We Provide

  • Pre-Mission Planning Services:
    • Coordinate with HQ Program Manager, Project Scientists, and flight operations to formulate the mission plan and schedule
    • Participate in investigator recommendation / selection
    • Participate in instrument payload development and modifications required based on science requirements
    • Coordinate / Conduct site survey selection with flight operations
    • Issue report regarding feasibility, cost, problematic concerns
    • Prepare and track mission budget
  • Establish Support Agreements:
    • Submit flight requests with aircraft organizations
    • Develop International agreements through State Department
    • Coordinate Dip / ATC clearances with flight operations through HQ (Code IY)
    • Coordinate / Develop agreements with host organizations concerning:
      • Military base / Airport privileges and restrictions
      • Needed facilities
      • Prepare funding agreements
      • Provide duty, customs, and other tax / fee exemption agreements
      • Obtain Air Force airlift support
    • Establish contractual agreements concerning: Hotels, aircraft support, local providers
  • Pre-Deployment Services:
    • Compile aircraft / investigator requirements
    • Design, and layout assignment of available spaces
    • Modification, construction, or repair of facilities
    • Set-up facility operation of:
      • Electrical power for aircraft, offices, and labs
      • Air conditioning / Heating
      • Communication networks - (voice, data, paging)
      • Weather satellite imagery equipment
      • Provide needed security measures
    • Furnish and maintain facility with:
      • Lab / Office furniture - (tables, chairs, partitions)
      • Break room provisions - (coffee pot, microwave, refrigerator)
    • Arrange for badges and access to restricted areas
    • Obtain ground support equipment
    • Assist with Import / Export regulations and restrictions
    • Coordinate with Educational Outreach participants
    • Develop and maintain mission website
    • Produce mission graphics as needed
    • Create, maintain and publish mission participant contact lists
    • Manage integration and test flights
    • Define procedures for data sharing during mission
    • Set up and maintain Data Archive machine
    • Identify potential issues that could affect mission and publish emergency evacuation guidelines
    • Locate and publish local information regarding:
      • Rental car agencies
      • Housing
      • Restaurants
      • Attractions
  • Deployment Services:
    • Provide instrument coordination to maintain communication on:
      • Instrument status and readiness
      • Aircraft status and availability schedules
      • Integration and flight schedules
      • Needed test and ferry flight
    • Disseminate mission schedules and status thru:
      • E-mail
      • Mission website
      • Posting in lab facilities and hotel bulletin boards
      • Updating project answering machines
    • Maintain daily communication / coordination with host
    • Setup and coordinate science meetings / flight debriefings
    • Post flight result plots in lab facilities and / or web page
    • Coordinate with HQ on mission public affairs including:
      • Press briefings, interviews, news releases
      • Set up and conduct open houses
      • Organize public access / school tours
      • Educational outreach programs
      • Arrange VIP / host / media tours
    • Obtain needed consumables including:
      • Science requirements - (cryogens, gasses)
      • Office supplies - (paper, pens, etc.)
      • Office equipment - (copiers, fax machines)
      • General services - (water, janitorial)
    • Handle shipping and receiving to and from deployment site
    • Obtain and manage storage of equipment
    • Handle on-site finances / local purchases
    • Close down local accounts and facility upon completion
  • Post Mission Services:
    • Make final closure with hosts
    • Report mission performance and status
    • Write letters of appreciation
    • Relay lessons learned
    • Set-up post mission science meetings / workshops
    • Produce mission archive data CD-Rom
    • Publish mission result