Action Item | International Gemini Observatory - National ...
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Action Item | International Gemini Observatory
Authorization of an additional $27.3 million beyond the NSB-approved
amount for management and operations
May 18-19, 2021
Martin Still | Division of Astronomical Sciences | NSF Directorate for Mathematical & Physical Sciences
NSF and the International
Gemini Observatory
• Twin 8.1 meter visible-near infrared telescopes in
Hawaii and Chile.
• Gemini Partnership is NSF + 5 international
agencies. NSF is the Executive Agency. Decision
authority is the Board of Directors.
• FY2021 O&M budget is $31M + $3.1M for
instrument development.
• NSF provides 68% of O&M; US receives
proportionate observing time and seats on the Board.
NSB Action Item | International Gemini Observatory | May 18-19, 2021 | 2
Request to NSB
• Two strategic opportunities for Gemini have
arisen since 2016.
• Additional opportunities lead to additional cost,
as communicated to NSB previously in CORF
annual facility reports (2018-2020).
1. Science opportunity: Upgrade to Gemini-N
adaptive optics capability ($26M, FY18-19).
2. Partnership opportunity: Facility instrument
collaboration with South Korea ($1.3M, FY21)
• Without adjustment, Gemini spending limit will
be reached in FY 2022.
• MPS/AST recommends authorized funding limit
be raised from $145M by $27.3M.
NSB Action Item | International Gemini Observatory | May 18-19, 2021 | 3
Opportunity #1:
Adaptive Optics at
Gemini-N
• 2015 NASEM report identifies adaptive optics as
critical need for Rubin and LIGO science.
• Maunakea is the #1 site available for adaptive
optics science exploitation.
• Adaptive optics development is cornerstone of
the Gemini-N strategic vision.
• Adaptive optics will deliver U.S. science
leadership this decade and beyond.
NSB Action Item | International Gemini Observatory | May 18-19, 2021 | 4
Opportunity #1: Gemini in
the Era of Multi-Messenger
Astronomy (GEMMA)
• Will deliver near-infrared imaging and spectroscopy at
Gemini-N as sharp as space observations.
• Will cover a field-of-view on the sky that complements
capabilities of NASA’s James Webb Observatory.
• Investment in GEMMA delivers science punches for
Rubin, Multi-Messenger Astrophysics, and Webb.
NSB Action Item | International Gemini Observatory | May 18-19, 2021 | 5
GW 170817
Opportunity #1: Adaptive Optics are
Critical to the Physical Interpretation
of Multi-Messenger and Rubin Alerts
• Gemini’s telescopes will be largest-aperture facilities in Rubin and
Multi-Messenger Astrophysics follow-up system.
• Gemini’s queue scheduling and agile operations make it well suited to
this responsibility.
• Adaptive optics result in significant improvement to Gemini’s observing
efficiency, program completion, and science output.
• Gemini will be linchpins responsible for identifying and characterizing
“Multi-Messenger Astrophysics is the faintest, highest priority events.
one of NSF’s Ten Big Ideas”
NSB Action Item | International Gemini Observatory | May 18-19, 2021 | 6
Opportunity #2:
IGRINS-2 Detector Procurement
• South Korea became a Gemini partner in 2018 with 5% share of
O&M - $1.7M per year.
• In lieu of a joining fee, S. Korea are providing IGRINS-2 - a $10M
facility instrument under construction, commissioning in 2023.
• AST agreed to partner with S. Korea on IGRINS-2 by funding the
detectors ($1.3M).
• IGRINS-2, a high-resolution infrared spectrograph will detect
brown dwarfs and exoplanets.
• Will be in high demand by the U.S. community and deliver
vibrant set of new science opportunities.
NSB Action Item | International Gemini Observatory | May 18-19, 2021 | 7
Opportunities, Risks, and
Programmatic Oversight
• GEMMA and IGRINS-2 development projects
provide high-value opportunity at additional cost.
• NSF holds GEMMA to midscale standards of project
management, with additional programmatic
oversight provided by AST/MPS and Gemini Board.
• Robust mitigation strategies in place for major risks
(see backup slides):
• Cost and schedule
• Technical
• Personnel
• Partnerships
NSB Action Item | International Gemini Observatory | May 18-19, 2021 | 8
Proposed Resolution
WHEREAS, the National Science Board authorized the Director of the National
Science Foundation to make an award not to exceed $145,338,000 for the
management and operation of the Gemini Observatory for a period of 72 months
from January 1, 2017 in resolution NSB-2016-13,
AND, supplemental funding in the amount of $27,267,244 was subsequently
awarded for instrumentation and related software systems for Gemini
Observatory, which combined with planned operations funding will exceed said
authorization,
RESOLVED, that the National Science Board authorizes the Director of the
National Science Foundation, at his discretion, to increase the NSF appropriated
funding for the management and operation of the Gemini Observatory to an
amount not to exceed $172,605,244.
NSB Action Item | International Gemini Observatory | May 18-19, 2021 | 9Questions?
Backup Slides FollowGemini, GEMMA, and IGRINS-2 Timeline and Risks
2023-2027 NOIRLab
Renewal Proposal • Schedule and risks managed
reviewed. to midscale project standards.
GEMMA AO bench
GEMMA selected for IGRINS-2 supplement GEMMA AO bench Critical Design • Oversight provided by both
NSF award. award. contract awarded. Review.
NSF and Gemini Board.
2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027
GEMMA AO 2022-2027 IGRINS-2 GEMMA award end GEMMA AO
Conceptual Design International Gemini commissioned. date, development commissioned.
Review. Agreement signed. completed thereafter
GEMMA AO bench with Gemini
designs proposed. Instrument
Development Fund.
IGRINS-2 detectors
delivered.
NSB Action Item | International Gemini Observatory | May 18-19, 2021 | 11More Science
Opportunities with
Gemini-N Adaptive
Optics
• Cosmology and dark matter via
lensed galaxy clusters.
• Detection of intermediate mass
black holes in globular clusters.
• Galaxy formation back to epoch
of reionization.
• Monitoring star formation within
stellar nurseries.
NSB Action Item | International Gemini Observatory | May 18-19, 2021 | 12Risk Management
Mechanisms are in place to mitigate the risks associated with NSF investments. NSF and the Gemini Board have
oversight of the Gemini risk matrix and are provided regular updates. The most significant remaining risks and
mitigations for the GNAO and IGRINS-2 instrument projects are:
1. GNAO Cost & Schedule
• There is cost increase risk as project approaches Critical Design review gates and during subsequent
build phase.
• Risk has been mitigated by the Gemini Board who have endorsed revised cost, scope and schedule
plans and have agreed to fund all additional costs to GEMMA above award amount.
• All Gemini partners have indicated their intent to stay within the partnership over the development
period.
• Hence, GEMMA provides no direct risk to either the Gemini O&M cooperative support agreement
or the NOIRLab support agreement.
• Schedule risk does exist in that if GEMMA is delayed there will be decreased opportunities to follow
up the spectroscopic signatures of Rubin, LIGO, and other multi-messenger events.
• Schedule risk is being mitigated through detailed discussions with potential vendors of the core
adaptive optics systems and will be a consideration in the procurement of those systems.
• COVID-19 impacts have been minimal in procurement and design stages, and projected impacts are
not anticipated to be significant unless the pandemic worsens again.
NSB Action Item | International Gemini Observatory | May 18-19, 2021 | 13Risk Management
Mechanisms are in place to mitigate the risks associated with NSF investments. NSF and the Gemini Board have
oversight of the Gemini risk matrix and are provided regular updates. The most significant remaining risks and
mitigations for the GNAO and IGRINS-2 instrument projects are:
2. Technical project risks:
• GNAO technical risks are being managed and retired as subsystems pass
through review gates.
• Two wider Gemini risks remain that have high impact for performance –
• wavefront errors will be reduced by replacing the secondary mirror before instrument is
operational, and
• investigations to reduce telescope vibrations are underway.
• The last major subsystem requiring a vendor is the Adaptive Optics Bench; a
design will be selected through request for proposals.
• Cost and schedule for the bench have been estimated with the oversight of
independent review; both will be known to higher precision once the awarded
system has undergone a preliminary design review (FY 2022).
NSB Action Item | International Gemini Observatory | May 18-19, 2021 | 14Risk Management
Mechanisms are in place to mitigate the risks associated with NSF investments. NSF and the Gemini Board have
oversight of the Gemini risk matrix and are provided regular updates. The most significant remaining risks and
mitigations for the GNAO and IGRINS-2 instrument projects are:
3. Loss of project personnel:
• Potential loss of experienced personnel poses a risk to completing the project
on schedule.
• Gemini management are working within the NOIRLab structure to identify
contingency options in the larger pool of engineers available in the NOIRLab
engineering group.
NSB Action Item | International Gemini Observatory | May 18-19, 2021 | 15Risk Management
Mechanisms are in place to mitigate the risks associated with NSF investments. NSF and the Gemini Board have
oversight of the Gemini risk matrix and are provided regular updates. The most significant remaining risks and
mitigations for the GNAO and IGRINS-2 instrument projects are:
4. Gemini Partnerships:
• Current International Gemini Agreement expires on December 31, 2021.
• Renewal of the agreement is currently undergoing final approvals, with all
partners reaffirming their continued support at similar levels for CY 2022-
2027.
• Commitment embodied within this agreement and the partners’ ongoing joint
oversight of GEMMA and the Instrument Development Fund via the Gemini
Board mitigate this risk.
NSB Action Item | International Gemini Observatory | May 18-19, 2021 | 16Risk Management
Mechanisms are in place to mitigate the risks associated with NSF investments. NSF and the Gemini Board have
oversight of the Gemini risk matrix and are provided regular updates. The most significant remaining risks and
mitigations for the GNAO and IGRINS-2 instrument projects are:
5. IGRINS-2 construction:
• As a one-time, off-the-shelf procurement, the IGRINS-2 detector purchase has not been
impacted by COVID-19.
• The IGRINS-2 detector procurement provides no risk to either the Gemini O&M cooperative
support agreement or the NOIRLab support agreement.
• Construction of IGRINS-2, detector integration, and delivery will be conducted exclusively
by the Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute (KASI), and KASI is managing the risks
to the instrument construction, integration, and commissioning.
• Risks to cost, scope, and schedule are being monitored, so far with no concerning issues.
• Gemini provides non-financial support appropriate for a facility instrument project:
• An internal project manager, systems engineer, instrument scientist, and operations scientists and
engineers assigned to support and oversee the IGRINS-2 team effort.
• KASI provides monthly progress reports and and participate in formal meetings each month, with regular
(~weekly) interactions among the management team and daily interactions with the relevant scientific
and engineering staff when needed.
• Gemini fully participate in and provide feedback for critical project reviews.
NSB Action Item | International Gemini Observatory | May 18-19, 2021 | 17You can also read
