Which observation plan covers the priority scenes?
You are choosing a payload observation plan for a fictional Kestrel Survey coastal pass.
The question
This window has 10 slots. 2 reference observations are fixed and each scene uses one other slot. Choose one whole plan. The objective is at least 4 usable priority scenes, then as many priority scenes as possible.
| All scenes | Priority scenes | |
|---|---|---|
| Plan A | 8 | 5 |
| Plan B | 7 | 4 |
Plans use different observation modes. You cannot combine them in this window.
“Recommend a plan and explain what coverage it can provide.”
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A strong answer, step by step
Open each step in turn. This is one strong answer, not the only one.
Step 1: What counts toward the goal?
What would you do here? Open the move you’d make.
Count the 2 reference observations as priority scenes
Tempting, but it misses something. The reference observations are not target scenes.
Count usable priority scenes within the 8 available scene slots
The strong move. This uses the case’s required outcome and capacity.
Choose whichever plan uses every slot
Tempting, but it misses something. A full window can still miss the priority coverage target.
See how a strong candidate says it
“There are 8 scene slots after the 2 fixed reference observations. Only usable priority scenes count toward the threshold.”
Why it works: The reference observations have a separate purpose and do not count as coverage.
Step 2: Which plan leads?
What would you do here? Open the move you’d make.
Choose A provisionally
The strong move. It offers one more priority scene with the stated visibility.
Choose B because it has a spare slot
Tempting, but it misses something. The stated objective prefers more priority scenes.
Take the best scenes from both plans
Tempting, but it misses something. The case limits the window to one whole plan.
See how a strong candidate says it
“Plan A is provisional. It covers 5 priority scenes, one more than B. Both meet the minimum of 4.”
Why it works: After each plan meets the minimum, choose the one that covers more priority scenes.
Step 3: Which plan now meets the goal?
The revised visibility check removes 2 of Plan A’s priority scenes from this window. A has no replacements. Plan B is unchanged.
What would you do here? Open the move you’d make.
Keep A because it started with more priority scenes
Tempting, but it misses something. Two of those scenes are now outside its usable coverage.
Move a reference slot to a blocked A scene
Tempting, but it misses something. A free slot cannot restore visibility, and the reference observations are fixed.
Switch to B and preserve the reference slots
The strong move. B still provides four usable priority scenes.
See how a strong candidate says it
“Plan A drops to 6 usable scenes and 3 priority scenes. Plan B still has 7 usable scenes and 4 priority scenes. I would recommend B.”
Why it works: Losing two priority scenes drops A below the minimum. B meets it exactly.
Step 4: How do you report coverage?
What would you do here? Open the move you’d make.
Report that all planned B scenes have already been measured
Tempting, but it misses something. The team has a plan and does not yet have the observations.
Report B’s expected coverage and flag the missed targets
The strong move. The lead sees what this window can cover and what remains open.
Include the blocked A targets in B’s total
Tempting, but it misses something. B has its own defined scene set.
See how a strong candidate says it
“Tell the science lead that B can cover 4 priority scenes in this window. List the missed A targets for later review and confirm what arrived after the observations.”
Why it works: Expected coverage is a planning result. Actual coverage depends on the observations received.
The answer, in short
- Decision
- Recommend B and retain the 2 fixed reference observations.
- Because
- B still covers 4 usable priority scenes. A now covers 3.
- What would change it
- A verified visibility update that restores priority scenes could change the ranking.
Common traps
- Use total scene count in place of priority coverage.
- Mix mutually exclusive plans.
- Report planned observations as completed.
Check your answer
- Did I protect the reference observations?
- Did I compare plans on usable priority scenes?
- Did I update the plan after the visibility check?
- Did I distinguish expected and received coverage?
Last reviewed Nov 11, 2026