---
type: meeting
date: 2026-03-01
attendees:
  - "[[Sarah Chen]]"
  - "[[Marcus Johnson]]"
  - "[[Elena Rodriguez]]"
  - "[[James Park]]"
tags:
  - meeting
  - cdr
  - planning
  - preparation
---
# [[CDR Preparation Notes]]

## [[Meeting Info]]

**[[Date]]**: [[March 1]], 2026
**Time**: 10:00-12:00
**[[Location]]**: [[Main Conference Room]]
**Facilitator**: [[Sarah Chen]] ([[Chief Engineer]])

**Attendees**:
- [[Sarah Chen]] ([[Chief Engineer]])
- [[Marcus Johnson]] ([[Propulsion Lead]])
- [[Elena Rodriguez]] ([[Avionics Lead]])
- [[James Park]] ([[Structures Lead]])

## [[Purpose]]

Final preparation meeting for [[Critical Design Review]] (CDR) [[Scheduled]] for [[March 15]], 2026. Review readiness, address PDR conditions, and finalize [[CDR Package]].

## [[Agenda]]

1. PDR [[Condition Closeout Review]]
2. [[Design Maturity Assessment]]
3. [[Test Campaign Update]]
4. CDR [[Package Review]]
5. [[External Reviewer Coordination]]
6. [[Final Action Items]]

## [[PDR Condition Closeout]] Review

**Presenter**: [[Sarah Chen]]

Recall from [[2025-12-18 PDR Review]], we had 4 conditions for [[CDR Approval]]:

### [[Condition 1]]: [[Flight Software]] 85% Maturity

**[[Status]]**: ✅ **[[Complete]]** (95% [[Achieved]])

**[[Elena Rodriguez]]**: "[[Flight Software]] is at 95% maturity, exceeding the 85% requirement. We hired an additional [[Software]] [[Engineer]] in January ([[per action item]]) and accelerated development."

**[[Completed Modules]]**:
- ✅ [[Guidance]] (100%): [[Trajectory Optimization]], waypoint [[Navigation]]
- ✅ Navigation (100%): [[Sensor fusion]], [[Kalman filter]]
- ✅ [[Control]] (100%): [[PID controllers]] for attitude, altitude, [[Velocity]]
- ✅ [[Voting Logic]] (100%): 2-of-3 consensus
- ✅ [[Fault Detection]] (100%): [[Watchdog]], [[BIT]], anomaly [[Detection]]
- ✅ [[Telemetry]] (95%): [[Data Logging]], transmission (minor polish remaining)
- ✅ [[Landing Algorithm]] (90%): [[Powered Descent Guidance]] integrated

**[[Remaining Work]]** (5%):
- 🔄 Telemetry edge cases ([[GPS]] loss, [[Communication]] failure)
- 🔄 Software qualification [[Testing]] (final 10% of [[Test Matrix]])

**[[Sarah Chen]]**: "95% is [[Excellent]]. [[The 5]]% remaining is polish, [[Not]] critical functionality. Condition met."

### [[Condition 2]]: [[Landing Algorithm]] 80% Maturity

**Status**: ✅ **COMPLETE** (90% achieved)

**Elena Rodriguez**: "Landing algorithm is at 90% maturity, exceeding the 80% requirement. We dedicated 50+ HIL flights to landing scenarios in January-February."

**[[Landing Algorithm Components]]**:
- ✅ [[Powered descent guidance]] (100%): Convex [[Optimization]] solver
- ✅ [[Trajectory Planning]] (95%): Real-time trajectory generation
- ✅ Control [[Integration]] (90%): PID controllers tuned for landing
- ✅ [[Fault Handling]] (85%): [[GPS Dropout]], sensor failures
- ✅ Abort logic (90%): [[Safe]] landing with degraded sensors

**[[HIL Validation]]**:
- 70/100 flights complete (as of March 1)
- 50+ dedicated landing scenarios tested
- Landing accuracy: ±85m (within ±100m spec)
- GPS dropout recovery: ✅ [[Validated]] (smooth transition to [[IMU]]-[[Only]])

**Sarah Chen**: "90% is outstanding. The [[HIL Testing]] gives me [[High]] confidence in the landing algorithm. Condition met."

### [[Condition 3]]: [[Landing System|Landing Leg]] [[Design 85]]% Maturity

**Status**: ✅ **COMPLETE** (95% achieved)

**[[James Park]]**: "Landing leg [[Design]] is at 95% maturity, exceeding the 85% requirement. We [[Completed]] [[Prototype]] load testing in February ([[per action item]]) and validated the design."

**[[Landing Leg Design Status]]**:
- ✅ Mechanical design (100%): 4-leg configuration, crush [[Core]] absorbers
- ✅ Deployment mechanism (95%): Pneumatic actuators, lock [[Engagement]]
- ✅ Load testing (100%): Prototype tested to 150% design load (passed)
- ✅ Fabrication drawings (100%): Released to vendor
- ✅ Vendor delivery (100%): Legs delivered [[Feb 20]] ([[On Time]]!)

**[[Load Test Results]]** ([[Feb 15]], 2026):
- [[Test]] load: 3000 kg (150% of 2000 kg design load)
- Crush core [[Performance]]: ✅ Absorbed 2g impact, no structural damage
- Deployment mechanism: ✅ 100 cycles, no failures
- Lock engagement: ✅ Held [[Full]] load, no slippage

**Sarah Chen**: "95% is excellent. The load [[Test Results]] [[Are]] very encouraging. Condition met."

### [[Condition 4]]: Backup [[Turbopump]] Supplier [[Identified]]

**Status**: ✅ **COMPLETE**

**[[Marcus Johnson]]**: "Backup [[Turbopump]] supplier identified and qualified ([[per action item]] from PDR)."

**[[Backup Supplier]]**: [[Advanced Turbomachinery Systems]] (ATS)
- Delivery time: 10 [[Weeks]] (vs 12 weeks for [[Primary Supplier]])
- Cost: $1.3M (vs $1.2M for primary, 8% [[Premium]] acceptable)
- Qualification: Provided [[Reference]] turbopump specs, meets [[Requirements]]
- [[Contract]]: Standby agreement signed (can activate with 1-week notice)

**[[Risk Mitigation]]**: Turbopump single-source [[Risk]] reduced from HIGH to LOW

**Sarah Chen**: "Excellent work on backup supplier. [[All 4]] PDR conditions are COMPLETE and exceeded [[Expectations]]. We're [[READY FOR]] CDR."

## [[Design Maturity Assessment]]

**Presenter**: [[Sarah Chen]]

### [[Overall Design Maturity]]: 90%

| Subsystem | PDR ([[Dec 2025]]) | CDR ([[Mar 2026]]) | [[Target]] | Status |
|-----------|----------------|----------------|--------|--------|
| [[Propulsion System]] | 75% | 95% | >90% | ✅ Exceeds |
| [[Avionics System]] | 70% | 95% | >90% | ✅ Exceeds |
| [[Structures System]] | 65% | 90% | >85% | ✅ Exceeds |
| [[GNC System]] | 60% | 90% | >80% | ✅ Exceeds |
| **Overall** | **68%** | **93%** | **>85%** | ✅ **Exceeds** |

**Sarah Chen**: "[[Design Maturity]] has increased from 68% (PDR) to 93% (CDR) in 3 months. [[This]] is exceptional progress and demonstrates the [[Team]]'s [[Execution]] capability."

### [[Propulsion System]]: 95% Maturity

**[[Major Achievements Since]] PDR**:
- ✅ [[Test 3]] & [[Test 4]] successful (120s burn + [[Restart Test]])
- ✅ [[Engine Controller]] software 100% complete
- ✅ Propulsion testing campaign complete (4/4 [[Hot]] fires passed)
- ✅ [[Engine]] performance validated (thrust, ISP, [[Chamber Pressure]] [[All]] within spec)

**Remaining Work** (5%):
- 🔄 [[Integrated Vehicle Testing]] (propulsion + airframe) - [[April 2026]]
- 🔄 Final performance tuning ([[Mixture Ratio]] optimization)

### [[Avionics System]]: 95% Maturity

**[[Major Achievements]] Since PDR**:
- ✅ Flight software 95% complete (up from 60%)
- ✅ HIL testing 70% complete (70/100 flights)
- ✅ [[Avionics Integration Test]] successful (96% HIL [[Success Rate]])
- ✅ All sensors integrated and tested

**Remaining Work** (5%):
- 🔄 [[Final 30]] HIL flights ([[Complete Test]] matrix)
- 🔄 Software qualification testing
- 🔄 Integrated vehicle testing (avionics + airframe) - April 2026

### [[Structures System]]: 90% Maturity

**Major [[Achievements]] Since PDR**:
- ✅ [[Airframe Fabrication]] complete (friction stir welding done)
- ✅ [[Landing Legs]] delivered and integrated (Feb 20)
- ✅ [[Thrust structure]] complete (engine mount installed)
- ✅ Load testing passed (prototype validated)

**Remaining Work** (10%):
- 🔄 [[Integrated Vehicle Assembly]] (complete integration)
- 🔄 [[Environmental Testing]] (vibration, thermal, acoustic) - Jun-[[Aug 2026]]

### [[GNC System]]: 90% Maturity

**Major Achievements Since PDR**:
- ✅ Landing algorithm 90% complete (up from 50%)
- ✅ [[Trajectory optimization]] integrated
- ✅ HIL landing [[Validation]] (50+ scenarios tested)
- ✅ [[Sensor Fusion]] tuned (GPS dropout recovery [[Working]])

**Remaining Work** (10%):
- 🔄 Final HIL validation (30 more flights)
- 🔄 Integrated vehicle testing (GNC + propulsion + airframe)

## [[Test Campaign]] Update

**Presenter**: [[Marcus Johnson]]

[[See]] [[Engine Hot Fire Results]] and [[Test Campaign Overview]] for full details.

### [[Hot Fire Testing]]: ✅ **COMPLETE**

**All 4 [[Hot Fires Successful]]**:

| Test | Date | Duration | [[Result]] | [[Key Findings]] |
|------|------|----------|--------|--------------|
| [[Test 1]] | [[Dec 28]], 2025 | 30s | ✅ Pass | Clean ignition, all parameters nominal |
| [[Test 2]] | [[Dec 30]], 2025 | 60s | ✅ Pass | Endurance validated, no degradation |
| [[Test 3]] | [[Jan 2]], 2026 | 120s | ✅ Pass | Full-duration burn, thermal margins confirmed |
| [[Test 4]] | [[Jan 15]], 2026 | Restart | ✅ Pass | Restart validated, ullage [[System]] worked |

**[[Test Campaign Success Rate]]**: 100% (4/4 successful)

**Marcus Johnson**: "The [[Hot Fire Test]] campaign was a complete success. Every test passed on [[First]] attempt with no major anomalies. Engine performance is excellent and [[Ready]] for flight."

### [[Hardware-in-Loop]] Testing: 70% Complete

**[[HIL Progress]]**:
- Flights completed: 70/100 (as of March 1)
- Success [[Rate]]: 97% (68/70 successful)
- Remaining: 30 flights (scheduled for March)

**[[HIL Failures]]** (2 of 70):
- Flight #32: [[Control Loop]] instability during high-wind ascent (fixed, retested)
- Flight #55: Sensor [[Voting]] disagreement (corner case, fixed)

**Elena Rodriguez**: "HIL testing is progressing well. We're 70% through the test matrix with a 97% success rate. [[The 2]] failures were valuable [[Learning]] [[Opportunities]] and we've fixed [[Both]] issues."

### Environmental Testing: ⏳ Scheduled

**[[Upcoming Tests]]** (Jun-Aug 2026):
- [[Vibration Testing]]: [[Jun 15]]-20 (facility booked)
- [[Thermal Vacuum Testing]]: [[Jul 10]]-15 (facility booked)
- [[Acoustic Testing]]: Aug (facility booking [[In Progress]])

## [[CDR Package]] Review

**Presenter**: [[Sarah Chen]]

CDR package consists of:

### 1. [[Design Documentation]]

**Deliverables**:
- ✅ [[System Requirements Document]] ([[Updated]])
- ✅ [[Propulsion System Design Document]] (95% complete)
- ✅ [[Avionics System Design Document]] (95% complete)
- ✅ [[Structures System Design Document]] (90% complete)
- ✅ GNC [[System Design Document]] (90% complete)
- ✅ [[Interface Control Documents]] (ICDs) - all interfaces [[Defined]]

**Status**: 📄 All [[Documents]] ready for CDR review

### 2. [[Architecture Decision Records]]

**[[ADRs]] Written**:
1. [[ADR-001 Propellant Selection]] (LOX/RP-1)
2. [[ADR-002 Flight Computer]] ([[Triple redundancy]])
3. [[ADR-003 Landing Strategy]] ([[Propulsive landing]])
4. [[ADR-004 Test Campaign]] ([[Incremental Testing]])
5. [[ADR-005 Telemetry Protocol]] ([[Custom Binary Protocol]])

**Status**: ✅ [[All 5]] ADRs complete and approved

### 3. Test [[Results]]

**[[Test Documentation]]**:
- ✅ [[Engine Hot Fire Results]] ([[Tests 1]]-4)
- ✅ [[Avionics Integration Test]] (HIL results)
- ✅ [[Test Campaign Overview]] (master [[Test Plan]])
- ✅ Component test reports (23 tests)
- ✅ Subsystem test reports (12 tests)

**Status**: ✅ All test results [[Documented]] and [[Available]]

### 4. Budget & Schedule

**[[Budget Status]]** (as of March 1, 2026):
- Spent: $10.2M of $14M (73%)
- Remaining: $3.8M (adequate for remaining work)
- Contingency: $0.5M remaining (71% of original)

**[[Schedule Status]]**:
- All [[Milestones]] met on time (100% on-time delivery)
- [[First Flight]]: [[Dec 15]], 2026 ([[On Track]])

**Status**: 🟢 Budget and schedule healthy

### 5. [[Risk Register]]

**[[Risk Summary]]**:
- HIGH risks: 0 (all mitigated!)
- [[Medium Risks]]: 5 (manageable)
- [[Low Risks]]: 12 (acceptable)

**[[Top Risks]]**:
1. R-015: [[Software Qualification Timeline]] (Score: 6, MEDIUM)
2. R-022: [[Environmental Test Failure]] (Score: 6, MEDIUM)
3. R-027: FAA/AST license delay (Score: 6, MEDIUM)

**Status**: 🟢 No [[Show]]-stopper risks

## [[External Reviewer]] Coordination

**Presenter**: [[Sarah Chen]]

**CDR [[External Reviewers]]** (same as PDR):
- Dr. [[Lisa Anderson]] (Propulsion expert) - Confirmed
- [[Tom Mitchell]] (Flight software expert) - Confirmed

**[[CDR Format]]**:
- Date: March 15, 2026
- Duration: Full day (09:00-17:00)
- Location: Main [[Conference Room]] + [[Remote]]
- [[Agenda]]: Similar to PDR (subsystem reviews, Q&A, decision)

**Pre-CDR [[Material Distribution]]**:
- CDR package sent to reviewers: ✅ [[March 5]] (10 days before CDR)
- Reviewers [[Have]] 10 days to review material
- Pre-CDR questions due: [[March 12]] (3 days before CDR)

**Expected [[CDR Outcome]]**:
- **[[Approval]]** (no conditions expected)
- Rationale: All PDR conditions met/exceeded, design maturity at 93%

## [[Final Action Items]]

| Owner | Task | [[Due Date]] | Status |
|-------|------|----------|--------|
| [[Sarah Chen]] | Distribute CDR package to external reviewers | 📅 2026-03-05 | ✅ Complete |
| [[Marcus Johnson]] | Complete propulsion design document | 📅 2026-03-10 | ✅ Complete |
| [[Elena Rodriguez]] | Complete avionics design document | 📅 2026-03-10 | ✅ Complete |
| [[James Park]] | Complete structures design document | 📅 2026-03-10 | ✅ Complete |
| [[Elena Rodriguez]] | Complete final 30 HIL flights | 📅 2026-03-31 | 🔄 In Progress |
| [[Sarah Chen]] | Prepare CDR presentation slides | 📅 2026-03-12 | 🔄 In Progress |
| **All** | Review CDR package for accuracy | 📅 2026-03-10 | ✅ Complete |

## [[CDR Readiness Assessment]]

**Sarah Chen**: "[[Based]] on this review, I assess the team as **READY FOR CDR** on March 15."

**[[Readiness Checklist]]**:
- ✅ All 4 PDR conditions met/exceeded
- ✅ Design maturity at 93% (exceeds >85% target)
- ✅ [[Hot Fire]] [[Test Campaign]] 100% successful
- ✅ HIL testing 97% successful (70/100 flights)
- ✅ CDR package complete and reviewed
- ✅ External reviewers confirmed and materials distributed
- ✅ Budget and schedule healthy
- ✅ No show-stopper risks

**[[Team Consensus]]**: All subsystem leads agree - **READY FOR CDR**

## [[Post-CDR Planning]]

**Assuming CDR Approval** (expected March 15):

**[[Immediate Next Steps]]**:
1. **March-April**: Complete final 30 HIL flights
2. **April-May**: Integrated vehicle assembly
3. **June-August**: Environmental testing
4. **September**: [[Dress Rehearsal]] (wet)
5. **October**: [[Flight Readiness Review]]
6. **December**: First flight (target [[Dec]] 15)

**[[Critical Path]]** (Mar-[[Dec 2026]]):
- Integrated vehicle assembly (Apr-May)
- Environmental testing (Jun-Aug)
- FAA/AST license approval (Jun-Oct)
- [[Flight Readiness]] review (Oct)

## [[Closing Remarks]]

**Sarah Chen**: "This team has done outstanding work to [[Get]] us ready for CDR. We've exceeded all PDR conditions, achieved 93% design maturity, and completed a flawless test campaign. I'm confident we'll receive CDR approval on March 15 and proceed to integrated vehicle testing in April.

The [[Next]] 9 months will be intense - [[Integrated Testing]], environmental testing, and flight readiness. [[But]] if we execute like we did in Q1 2026, we'll achieve first flight in December. Let's make it happen."

**Team**: *Thumbs up, confident nods*

## [[Related Notes]]

[[Milestones]]:
- [[2025-12-18 PDR Review]] - PDR conditions baseline
- [[2025-12-30 Year End Review]] - 2025 accomplishments
- [[2026-01-02 Sprint Planning]] - [[Test 3]] [[Results Review]]
- [[Critical Design Review]] (CDR) - March 15, 2026 (upcoming)

[[Decisions]]:
- [[ADR-001 Propellant Selection]]
- [[ADR-002 Flight Computer]]
- [[ADR-003 Landing Strategy]]
- [[ADR-004 Test Campaign]]
- [[ADR-005 Telemetry Protocol]]

[[Systems]]:
- [[Propulsion System]] - 95% maturity
- [[Avionics System]] - 95% maturity
- [[Structures System]] - 90% maturity
- [[GNC System]] - 90% maturity

[[Test Documentation]]:
- [[Engine Hot Fire Results]] - Tests 1-4 [[Data]]
- [[Avionics Integration Test]] - HIL results
- [[Test Campaign Overview]] - Master plan

[[Project Management]]:
- [[Project Roadmap]] - Post-CDR [[Timeline]]
- [[Risk Register]] - [[Current]] risks
- [[Budget Tracker]] - [[Financial]] status
- [[Team Roster]] - Team [[Composition]]

---

*[[Meeting Notes]] by [[Sarah Chen]] - 2026-03-01*
*Next milestone: Critical Design Review - March 15, 2026*
*Status: READY FOR CDR ✅*
