KSC Next Gen Site ___Questions?
Comments?Space Transportation Systems Operations Models
Numerous space transportation systems operations analysis methods and models have evolved through work in this field of operations research over many years. 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. In 1998-2000 the KSC Vision Spaceport partnership significantly advanced the methods for relating a space transportation systems flight and ground systems design to it's the effort as recurring launch-site operations. Models that benefitted from both the LOI and Vision Spaceport work evolved to include the AATe, SAGE, SFAC and, most recently, LLEGO and the KSC-Model. It is inevitable that ground operations processing and cost models will one day be integrated with mission operations, production, or higher level strategic models. An example of such a strategic analysis model is the ez-NASA Model.
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". Any model development requires experience and "data" to give the model developer, user or 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 models presented here have evolved and relate to each other as shown in the figure below.
In some cases a tool may be made obsolete by a subsequent tool, such as AATe compared to LLEGO. In other cases the need for a tool may subside as organizational needs are met by improved organizational processes and more extensive, organized data and experience. The later is the case with SFAC. Lastly, experience with modeling and analysis may advance one method as preferable to another, such as the LLEGO time methodology being improved as compared to that of SAGE.
Research and development continues in this field of space transportation systems operations, with the work on LLEGO and the ez-NASA Model, both used in current analysis. Additionally, modeling has lead to exploring the behavior of chance and events inside complex systems, by thinking of game theory, as outlined in "NASA Equilibrium, Game Theory and National Policy".
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Website Contact: Edgar Zapata, NASA Kennedy Space Center