Web-based Simulation for Operations Support and Training Management on Future Exploration Missions

Long-duration manned spaceflight missions require new planning, training, and operations tools to ensure that safety and performa nce as well as efficiency and cost affordability requirements can be met. The length a nd complexity of missions will also require tools with more advanced automation and intelligent support both on the ground and for the astronauts. Success will depend on the delivery of continuous system knowledge, flexibility of the ground and orbital crews, and re al-time intelligent support information at their disposal. Through work on three SBIR projects with NASA and the U.S. Navy, PLANET LLC and ORBITEC are developing a baseline simulation platform for exploration applications that incorporates 3D visualization wit h intelligent, logic-based decision support and physics-based behavior simulation. By integrating a “logic engine” for authoring of complex system or procedural simulations in a text- based flowchart format, simulation tools can be created with reduced programming, making them a more cost-effective option for ground-based, on-orbit, and embedded training systems. The integration of a “physics engine” also will immediately allow for real-time s imulation that reacts to data-driven behaviors, physical phenomenon, or other equation-based interactions. Physics-based simulation was once only achieved through highly expensive videogame engines or dedicated hardware simulators, which precludes their use as a n operations interface or mobile training platform. These new capabilities are being demonstrated in current NASA training system developments and as a toolset in the new integrated set of performance support tools from United Space Alliance called Questus™.