The Chandra X-ray Center data system: supporting the mission of the Chandra X-ray Observatory

Janet D. Evans; Mark Cresitello-Dittmar; Stephen Doe; Ian Evans; Giuseppina Fabbiano; Gregg Germain; Kenny Glotfelty; Diane Hall; David Plummer; Panagoula Zografou

doi:10.1117/12.672660

29 June 2006 The Chandra X-ray Center data system: supporting the mission of the Chandra X-ray Observatory

Janet D. Evans, Mark Cresitello-Dittmar, Stephen Doe, Ian Evans, Giuseppina Fabbiano, Gregg Germain, Kenny Glotfelty, Diane Hall, David Plummer, Panagoula Zografou

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 6270, Observatory Operations: Strategies, Processes, and Systems; 62700N (2006) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.672660
Event: SPIE Astronomical Telescopes + Instrumentation, 2006, Orlando, Florida , United States

Abstract

The Chandra X-ray Center Data System provides end-to-end scientific software support for Chandra X-ray Observatory mission operations. The data system includes the following components: (1) observers' science proposal planning tools; (2) science mission planning tools; (3) science data processing, monitoring, and trending pipelines and tools; and (4) data archive and database management. A subset of the science data processing component is ported to multiple platforms and distributed to end-users as a portable data analysis package. Web-based user tools are also available for data archive search and retrieval. We describe the overall architecture of the data system and its component pieces, and consider the design choices and their impacts on maintainability. We discuss the many challenges involved in maintaining a large, mission-critical software system with limited resources. These challenges include managing continually changing software requirements and ensuring the integrity of the data system and resulting data products while being highly responsive to the needs of the project. We describe our use of COTS and OTS software at the subsystem and component levels, our methods for managing multiple release builds, and adapting a large code base to new hardware and software platforms. We review our experiences during the life of the mission so-far, and our approaches for keeping a small, but highly talented, development team engaged during the maintenance phase of a mission.

Citation Download Citation

Janet D. Evans, Mark Cresitello-Dittmar, Stephen Doe, Ian Evans, Giuseppina Fabbiano, Gregg Germain, Kenny Glotfelty, Diane Hall, David Plummer, and Panagoula Zografou "The Chandra X-ray Center data system: supporting the mission of the Chandra X-ray Observatory", Proc. SPIE 6270, Observatory Operations: Strategies, Processes, and Systems, 62700N (29 June 2006); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.672660

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available