Objective:

Aerospace range operations involve the flexible coordination of agencies, systems, and individuals, on many time scales, with allowance for weather phenomena and unforeseen circumstances. Design, simulation, and decision-support tools are needed to handle increasingly complex missions and operations. This research task will explore model-based design and simulation for performance prediction in complex human-automation systems. Investigators will develop a testbed for analysis of human-automation models in an agent-based simulated launch and range operations environment; integrate models of air traffic data and space launch vehicle trajectory data, and "return to launch site" profiles; add models of fleet-mix options, weather, traffic, flight path, range instruments, instrument scheduling, conflict prediction, and cognitive process analysis; evaluate concepts and technologies; and support ongoing development of range operations at Kennedy Space Center (KSC). This is part of a much larger modernization of launch and range operations to support mixed fleets, high traffic density, increased levels of automation, and heterogeneous mission requirements.

Applications:

Design of next-generation integrated aerospace launch and range operations.

NASA Benefit:

This research is part of a much larger strategic effort to modernize aerospace operations, leading toward increasingly automated spaceport operations. Current launch and range operations are already so complex that this ambitious project may succeed only because it leverages the multi-year, multimillion dollar investments by NASA's IT Base Program (DARWIN), DOD (MODSAF), and NASA-KSC (Spaceport Technology). Parallel activities are conducted at NASA Ames, NASA-KSC, and within the Air Force. These activities are coordinated via NASA Advanced Range Technology Working Group (ARTWG) and Advanced Spaceport Technology Working Group (ASTWG). The testbed will incorporate experimental analyses of teamwork scenarios from the IS/HCC-funded research on Launch and Range Operations Decision Models (under Roger Remington).

Keywords:

shuttle launch range operations testbed, model-based agent simulation, design, decision support

Prior Technology:

Current air traffic control and spacecraft launch ranges; planning by NASA's IT Base Program (DARWIN), DOD (MODSAF), and KSC (Spaceport Technology), coordinated via NASA's ARTWG and ASTWG.

FY04 Milestone:

Weather, hazard, fleet mix, and LRO teamwork scenario evaluations.

FY04 Quadchart Slide:

HCC_DIR_Bardina_LROTst.ppt.

Accomplishments:

Moderate-fidelity testbed; interfaces to existing vehicle and spaceport-technology models and testbeds; low-cost, high-performance, scalable modeling and simulation framework; inventoried key technologies from industry, defense, NASA, and university projects; completed initial model integration.

Contacts:

Jorge E. Bardina (PI), Ames Research Center (Code TI).
Jeppie R. Compton, All Points Logistics, Inc. at Kennedy Space Center.
Robert Turner, Kennedy Space Center.
Richard A. Nelson, Kennedy Space Center.
Cary J. Peaden, Kennedy Space Center.
José A. Sepúlveda, University of Central Florida.
Luis C. Rabelo, University of Central Florida.
Rajkumar Thirumalainambi, SAIC at ARC.