NASA SISM Intelligent Systems Project Human-Centered Computing Customers

HSM

DS

MI

Initial NASA Enterprise Applications
	Space Science	Earth Science	Space Flight	Bio. & Phys. Research	Aerospace Technology
Human- Centered Computing	Mixed-initiative systems for distributed operations.		Life support management; reduced operations overhead.	Automated support operations for crewed missions.

Human-centered computing addresses the design of NASA mission systems -- people, procedures, software, and other technologies -- for space-based science and exploration and for next-generation aerospace operations. HCC provides the distributed, interactive technologies required in remote science operations, safety-critical real-time decisions, and multi-mission knowledge management.

Applications

The IS HCC subproject is improving NASA's ability to design, deploy, and operate its mission systems with confidence, overcoming the difficult challenges of complex missions, reduced staffing, distributed teams, demands for automation, and fragmentary, heterogeneous, legacy knowledge systems. The design of mission systems balances the benefits of innovation against the safety of conservatism and continuity with prior missions. HCC will help NASA consider a much broader range of mission options, to reduce operational costs and increase safety. NASA's Office of Space Science (Code S), Office of Space Flight (Code M), and Office of Aerospace Technology (Code R) face similar HCC challenges in their design and deployment of unique, complex mission systems. These includes launch and range operations, vehicle processing, onboard and ground operations for the Space Transportation System (STS) and International Space Station (ISS), and surface and orbital planetary exploration operations. Even robotic missions such as Mars Exploration Rovers (MER) and Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) will have challenging remote-operations problems. HCC system-level technologies are also needed for air-ground integration, safety, and security in civil aviation to enhance aerospace system capacity.

Enterprise Customers

HCC researchers interact directly with the following major NASA Programs: Space Flight Enterprise:   The goal of the Space Flight Enterprise (SFE) in the Office of Space Flight (OSF) is to open the space frontier by exploring, using, and enabling the development of space. SFE programs provide safe, assured transportation to and from space for people and payloads. They also develop and operate habitable space facilities in order to enhance scientific knowledge, support technology development, and enable commercial activity. HCC technologies will help to explore the space frontier, enable humans to live and work permanently in space, enable the commercial development of space, and share the experience and benefits of discovery. Advanced Range Technologies Working Group:   The Advanced Range Technologies Working Group (ARTWG) serves as a central national forum to identify future space launch and test range technology needs. It will develop a roadmap (plan) to meet the needs of existing and future ranges established by federal policy or by other U.S. entities. Mars Exploration Rover Mission:   In 2003, two powerful new Mars rovers were launched to the Red Planet to search for evidence of liquid water in the planet's past. With far greater mobility than the 1997 Mars Pathfinder rover, these robotic explorers will be able to trek up to 100 meters per Martian day. The IS HCC subproject has helped develop collaboration technologies for MER mission design and operations. Mars Science Laboratory Mission:   NASA proposes to develop and to launch a roving, long-range, long-duration science laboratory to make surface measurements in preparation for a Mars sample return mission. The mobile Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) mission may be launched as early as 2009. HCC technology will contribute in many ways to mission operations. NASA Aviation Safety Program:   Our society is highly dependent on air transportation. Great strides have been made over the past 40 years to make flying the safest major mode of transportation. If air traffic triples (as predicted) within the next 20 years, even today's low rate of less than two accidents per million flights will be unacceptable. Dramatic steps, through joint FAA and NASA research, will ensure safety and security for the traveling public. NASA Airspace Systems Program:   NASA leads the U.S. in advanced airspace systems research, exploring automated support for the complex, distributed decision-making processes among pilots, air traffic controllers, and dispatchers. NASA's information-technology products substantially increase the effectiveness and efficiency of national air transportation systems.

NASA | SISM | IS | Human-Centered Computing

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