Title

Spaceport Models Assessment

Keywords

Cost; Simulation; Spaceport Operations; Tools; Virtual Test Bed

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to present an assessment of Spaceport Operations models. A variety of simulation models, which have been developed and are being developed at NASA KSC, are representations of single processes of a vehicle's life cycle. Regardless of the different techniques and paradigms that the models have, the need exists to integrate a comprehensive model set or Virtual Test Bed (VTB), which will detail the different activities and phases of the vehicle's life cycle. NASA KSC will then have a viable system that includes the many dimensions of a spaceport, including range, processing, costs, and human behavior. This assessment is divided into two major sections: one section discusses briefly the known models being utilized; the other section assesses the models from the objectives of the comprehensive model set or Virtual Test Bed. The methodology used reviews the different models and analyzes their specific make up, inputs, and results. In addition, it extracts meaningful metrics utilized by all the models studied in order to asses their spaceport relevance. The central goal of the VTB is to provide a virtual environment of the launch and range at KSC. VTB will be integrating and adapting some of the existing simulation models and complementing some of the gaps to create a unique mission environment for the Intelligent Launch & Range Operations (ILRO) program. This realistic NASA mission environment will provide scientists within the Intelligent Systems (IS) project with a computing environment where they can implement schemes for high-performance human-automation systems. It will require the development of a computer platform that allows the integration of the different models and simulation environments using two modalities: 1)Tightly - Coupled Integration, 2)Loosely- Coupled Integration. The simulation models presented here are good "pieces" of the life-cycle of a vehicle. However, their integration and the development of model to fill the gaps can create a useful environment for the future of the space program. The model assessment has indicated that the computing infrastructure to accomplish this integration should implement advanced ideas of integration, distributed and/or parallel computing, security, and Web-based technologies. Federation management will be have to be implemented. These federation management capabilities will allow other platforms to be integrated. However, these independent platforms will be integrated using a loosely coupled fashion. We believe that to successfully complete this task will require the development of an adaptor to accomplish and/or facilitate this integration.

Publication Date

12-1-2004

Publication Title

IIE Annual Conference and Exhibition 2004

Number of Pages

409-410

Document Type

Article; Proceedings Paper

Personal Identifier

scopus

Socpus ID

30044438247 (Scopus)

Source API URL

https://api.elsevier.com/content/abstract/scopus_id/30044438247

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