The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) calls upon solvers to submit novel approaches to geomagnetic data collection for the World Magnetic Model. In Phase 2, MagQuest seeks detailed designs for data collection methodologies.

Submission Process

The deadline for Phase 2 submissions is 4:59 p.m. EDT on August 28, 2019. Please submit at least one hour before the deadline to ensure your completed submission is received. This form is best viewed using Chrome, Firefox, or Internet Explorer 10 or higher. To prevent the loss of any entered information, please save the form as a draft prior to attaching any files or editing your team contact information. When submitting, please do not reload the form or exit the browser until you see a message confirming we have received your submission. If you encounter any issues, please email hello@magquest.com with a description of the problem, a screenshot, and the date and time of the occurrence.

Please upload a document with responses to the prompts below:

Mission Overview

• Describe the methodology your solution proposes to collect geomagnetic data for the WMM, including relevant theory or evidence that supports your design. Reminder: the challenge does not ask solvers for alternate methods of creating the WMM. Your solution should describe new data collection solutions that will support ongoing WMM production.



• Describe your expected results, including your level of confidence that your solution would be capable of achieving the measurement targets outlined in the target performance metrics. If you do not expect your solution to be capable of meeting the target performance metrics, please provide rationale for why a specific metric may not be critical to your solution given the goals of the challenge.



• Describe the most critical design drivers in your concept, also noting which elements may be most difficult to achieve.
• Include a concept of operations diagram and supporting description. Describe the flow of data from collection to output in nominal operations.

System Details

• Describe your approach to subsystems. These may include, but need not be limited to, the following:
  
  
  
  • Communications. How will data be transported?
  
  
  • Power. How will power be supplied and stored?
  
  
  • Sensors or payload. What instrumentation will be used to collect magnetic field data? If multiple sensors are used, how will they jointly contribute to measurement success?
  
  
  • Data handling. What computing capabilities will be used?
  
  
  • Environmental factors. How will potential impacts be addressed? (e.g., weather, radiation)
  
  
  • Temperature. How will temperature be monitored and managed?
  
  
  • Orientation. How will orientation be determined and controlled?
  
  
  • Structures. What (if any) additional structures are integrated? (e.g., environmental shelter, aircraft, satellite)
  
  
  • Deployment and maintenance. What will be required for initial deployment, as well as maintenance over time?
  
  
  • Mobility. If relevant, how will movement be enabled?
  
  
  • Other. Are there any other relevant details to describe your design?
  
  


• Please provide a sensor platform diagram that illustrates these subsystems.

Innovation

• Describe how your solution proposes new or unique approaches to efficiently collect geomagnetic data for the World Magnetic Model. This could include innovation that will lead to efficiencies in time, cost, or other resources.

Risk

• Describe the risks or potential points of failure in your solution, and identify potential mitigation steps. These may include, but need not be limited to, technical risks and programmatic risks.

Program Management

• List all current team members; detail their experience and contributions to this submission. Indicate team member interest regarding participation in potential future phases.


• Provide an estimated budget to advance your design to a Technical Readiness Level (TRL) of at least 5, and preferably 6, within a potential timeframe of two years (e.g., by September 2021). (See the Technology Readiness Assessment in Additional Resources for more information on TRLs


• Provide an estimated budget to deploy and operate your design for five years. Describe considerations or complications that would arise with longer-term operation. (e.g., 30 years)


• Describe any unique licensing or regulatory considerations posed by your design.


• Describe the milestone schedule that would be required for developing, testing, and deploying your design.Include a high-level Gantt chart that illustrates timing and dependencies for key workstreams and milestones.