Daily costs for each of the antenna ranges, the high power vacuum test facilities, or for Mesa grounds usage and storage can be determined using the rate data in the table below and by using the following formula:

Daily rate (unburdended dollars) = [unit Rate] * [Units/Day]

The Unit Rate is periodically reviewed and revised to reflect current range usage and operating costs. As is the case with all JPL Service Centers, it is possible to incur a fiscal year end “retro” cost adjustment. This adjustment can either be positive (funds returned to customer account) or negative (additional test cost). The MESA budget is carefully planned to minimize the chance of any significant retro cost. For information on the current unit rate, please contact one of the people listed in Contacts.

1. Due to funding limitations, several ranges are not maintained in a state of operational readiness and may incur an additional setup charge to verify proper operation and/or repair equipment. See individual range descriptions for assessment of state of readiness. For details please contact one of the people listed in Contacts.
2. Given the unique characteristics of antenna pattern and gain measurements, customers are encouraged to employ the services of the trained MESA staff as an antenna test lead. The MESA can provide a cost estimate for turnkey antenna measurement services and the customer should include these costs as LABOR or SERVICE line items in their project budgeting process. This staff will work with the customer to develop a test plan, setup and run the test, provide test data, and generate the final test report. The customer is responsible for the labor cost of the antenna test lead, including the time to develop, write and get approval of the test procedures and final report. Additional labor costs may include test technicians, test monitors required by project, “buddy system” labor if required for off-hours test campaigns, mechanical technicians for mounting large antennas, etc. Other potential costs include SERVICES such as laser metrology needed to perform range equipment alignment and determine antenna electrical to mechanical boresight.
3. Antenna ranges are available for use by qualified antenna test engineers and technicians to perform their own test campaigns at the discretion of the Mesa antenna test lead. Facility usage charges apply. Additional costs may be incurred for special range setups, facility use training, test equipment or test equipment damaged during testing.
4. Given the complexity of using the vacuum chambers and high power equipment used in these test facilities, customers must employ the services of trained Section 337 staff as a high power test lead or personnel from ETL to run the vacuum system. This staff will setup the test, work with the customer to develop a test plan, run the test, provide test data, and generate the final test report. The customer is responsible for the labor cost of the high power test lead and any required support personnel, including the time to develop, write and get approval of the test procedure, and should include this as a LABOR line item in their project budgeting process.
5. Service Center Provided Equipment: The service center charges include the use of the antenna range and its indigenous test equipment (contact Mesa staff listed in “Contacts” for more detail). Special tests may require purchase of additional test equipment or equipment rental that is subject to additional EIC usage charges. Unique test equipment purchased for an antenna test becomes property of the MESA unless otherwise stipulated in the Test Plan.
6. Loan Pool Provided Equipment: The customer is responsible for the cost of Loan Pool provided equipment and calibration of this equipment. Depending on the test procedure developed and approved by the Customer, the antenna test lead, and MESA Management, there may be additional calibrated loan pool equipment items (e.g. power meter, network analyzer, etc.). The customer is responsible for the service cost of the loan pool equipment and should include this as a SERVICE line item in their project budgeting process.