Location

Howard Johnson Plaza-Hotel, Columbia/ Enterprise Rooms

Start Date

24-4-1991 2:00 PM

End Date

24-4-1991 5:00 PM

Description

Rockwell International Space Systems Division is teamed with the University of Central Florida on a research project to develop an automated simulation system to model ground processing scenarios for the Shuttle and Shuttle-derived vehicles. This simulation system is necessary to evaluate launch site facilities requirements and estimate life-cycle costs of future space programs.

This paper presents the results of initial simulation modeling of the orbiter processing critical path at Kennedy Space Center (KSC). An approach is presented for the planned capabilities to simulate mixed fleet processing and to perform sensitivity, capacity, cost, and risk analyses. Potential expert system applications for the simulation system are presented, such as a resource allocation tool for standdown periods or a long-range scheduling tool for future programs like the Space Exploration Initiative.

The simulation model will be developed using the object-oriented languages MOD SIM II and C+ + . This model is different than other software tools currently used for planning at KSC in that it is stochastic rather than deterministic. A deterministic model assumes all parameters of the model are known constants. A stochastic system defines the operations process using an indexed collection of random variables. The modeling system will be expandable using object-oriented inheritance techniques in which facilities and vehicles are modeled as templates. This system is different from other planning systems used at KSC in that supplemental vehicle and/or facility data can be introduced during program execution. This technique allows effective modeling of dynamic launch site environments for future programs.

Comments

Space Shuttle and Derivatives

Session Chairman: Brewster H. Shaw, Deputy Director, Space Shuttle Operations, NASA Headquarters

Session Organizer: Patricia Houston, Manager, Project Integration, McDonnell Douglas Space Systems Company, Kennedy Space Center, FL

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Apr 24th, 2:00 PM Apr 24th, 5:00 PM

Paper Session II-B - Simulating Shuttle and Derivative Vehicle Processing at Kennedy Space Center

Howard Johnson Plaza-Hotel, Columbia/ Enterprise Rooms

Rockwell International Space Systems Division is teamed with the University of Central Florida on a research project to develop an automated simulation system to model ground processing scenarios for the Shuttle and Shuttle-derived vehicles. This simulation system is necessary to evaluate launch site facilities requirements and estimate life-cycle costs of future space programs.

This paper presents the results of initial simulation modeling of the orbiter processing critical path at Kennedy Space Center (KSC). An approach is presented for the planned capabilities to simulate mixed fleet processing and to perform sensitivity, capacity, cost, and risk analyses. Potential expert system applications for the simulation system are presented, such as a resource allocation tool for standdown periods or a long-range scheduling tool for future programs like the Space Exploration Initiative.

The simulation model will be developed using the object-oriented languages MOD SIM II and C+ + . This model is different than other software tools currently used for planning at KSC in that it is stochastic rather than deterministic. A deterministic model assumes all parameters of the model are known constants. A stochastic system defines the operations process using an indexed collection of random variables. The modeling system will be expandable using object-oriented inheritance techniques in which facilities and vehicles are modeled as templates. This system is different from other planning systems used at KSC in that supplemental vehicle and/or facility data can be introduced during program execution. This technique allows effective modeling of dynamic launch site environments for future programs.

 

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