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Space Transportation Systems Operations Models
Numerous space transportation systems operations analysis methods and models have evolved through continuous work in this field of operations research over many years. Going furthest back, in 1992 the LOI first used MS Excel to provide a graphic user interface and a calculation scheme to measure the relative operability of propulsion systems. Later, the KSC Vision Spaceport partnership in 1998-2000 significantly advanced the methods for evaluating a systems design characteristics to determine recurring launch-site ground operations effects, landing through launch. Models that benefitted from both the LOI and Vision Spaceport work evolved to include the AATe, SAGE, SFAC and, most recently, LLEGO.
The term "model" is used here in the sense of an abstraction containing predictive mathematical formulas, created so as to have a framework for analysis in a current as well as future context. Because these models tend to be descriptive of the nature of something, "what", a spaceship for example, or a spaceport, the term "model" is used here as distinct from "simulation". Also, any model development requires experience and "data" to give the model developer, or user and analyst, the right insight to construct a useful model and to use it. Since data exists and can be used for insight independent of any model, data also represents an area of operations research distinct from modeling. Using a model leads to analysis, again an area unto itself distinct from creating models.
The goal of the work presented here under "models" is to:
Understand the fundamental nature of systems for transporting humans to low earth orbit and beyond.
Understand the characteristics of these systems in relation to the goal of furthering routine, affordable, access to space for all.
As understanding has evolved, so have models. Some work makes previous work obsolete. There is learning about constructing models, math relationships, programming and software interfaces. Especially of interest, there is learning about the system of interest - human space flight systems. Experience feeds into future areas of emphasis and directions. The four models presented here have evolved as follows:
< Click any green item to go to information on that tool >
In some cases a tool may be made 100% obsolete by a subsequent tool, such as AATe compared to LLEGO. In other cases modeling may have been superseded by both organizational methods or tool sets comprised mostly of appropriate data, experience and organizational process. Alternately, a need for high-level architectural tools may have subsided. The later is the case with SFAC. Lastly, experience with the real world may advance a descriptive modeling approach to prefer one direction over another, such as the LLEGO time methodology being preferable to that of SAGE.
Research and development continues in this field of space transportation systems operations analysis, with the current work on LLEGO, being used for analysis in the NASA Exploration program.
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Website Contact: Edgar Zapata, NASA Kennedy Space Center