Launch processing system concept to reality

The Launch Processing System represents Kennedy Space Center's role in providing a major integrated hardware and software system for the test, checkout and launch of a new space vehicle. Past programs considered the active flight vehicle to ground interfaces as part of the flight systems and therefore the related ground system was provided by the Development Center. The major steps taken to transform the Launch Processing System from a concept to reality with the successful launches of the Shuttle Programs Space Transportation System are addressed

Kennedy Launch Processing System

The foremost challenge facing the aerospace industry during this decade is to develop the management, design and operational techniques required to reduce hardware development and operational costs. The concept of merging space technology with airline maintenance and operational philosophies enjoys considerable favor at this time; however, additional effort must be expended to develop a conforming system of hardware, supporting software and procedures. Vehicle launch with an attendant requirement for massive preparation and coordination can no longer be considered self justifying. The success of the Space Transportation System will be measured by the cost per pound of payload successfully delivered into space

Liquid rocket booster integration study. Volume 1: Executive summary

The impacts of introducing liquid rocket booster engines (LRB) into the Space Transportation System (STS)/Kennedy Space Center (KSC) launch environment are identified and evaluated. Proposed ground systems configurations are presented along with a launch site requirements summary. Prelaunch processing scenarios are described and the required facility modifications and new facility requirements are analyzed. Flight vehicle design recommendations to enhance launch processing are discussed. Processing approaches to integrate LRB with existing STS launch operations are evaluated. The key features and significance of launch site transition to a new STS configuration in parallel with ongoing launch activities are enumerated. This volume is the executive summary of the five volume series

An intelligent advisory system for pre-launch processing

The shuttle system of interest in this paper is the shuttle's data processing system (DPS). The DPS is composed of the following: (1) general purpose computers (GPC); (2) a multifunction CRT display system (MCDS); (3) mass memory units (MMU); and (4) a multiplexer/demultiplexer (MDM) and related software. In order to ensure the correct functioning of shuttle systems, some level of automatic error detection has been incorporated into all shuttle systems. For the DPS, error detection equipment has been incorporated into all of its subsystems. The automated diagnostic system, (MCDS) diagnostic tool, that aids in a more efficient processing of the DPS is described

Advanced information processing system for advanced launch system: Avionics architecture synthesis

The Advanced Information Processing System (AIPS) is a fault-tolerant distributed computer system architecture that was developed to meet the real time computational needs of advanced aerospace vehicles. One such vehicle is the Advanced Launch System (ALS) being developed jointly by NASA and the Department of Defense to launch heavy payloads into low earth orbit at one tenth the cost (per pound of payload) of the current launch vehicles. An avionics architecture that utilizes the AIPS hardware and software building blocks was synthesized for ALS. The AIPS for ALS architecture synthesis process starting with the ALS mission requirements and ending with an analysis of the candidate ALS avionics architecture is described

Paper Session I-A - Modeling Current and Future Launch Vehicle Processing Using Object-Oriented Simulation Techniques

STARSIM, an acronym for Space Transportation Activities and Resources Simulation, is an objectoriented, menu-driven, user-friendly, decision support system for simulating National Space Transportation System (NSTS) processing, as well as Personnel Launch System (PLS)-National Launch System (NLS), PLS-Proton, PLS-Titan IV, Hermes-Ariane 5 and Cargo Transfer Return Vehicle (CTRV) processing. For each launch system modeled, output is displayed numerically (for global statistical information), in pie chart form (to visualize percentages of subcategories associated with a main category) and in Gantt chart form (for visualizing when and where each launch vehicle experiences waiting, processing, blocking and maintenance periods, and the reasons for blocking). Users may input a comprehensive set of system parameters (e.g., number of launch vehicles, processing times at each facility, number of bays at a particular facility) using a window-based environment, or by supplying an existing input data file. Data for existing launch systems and representative data for proposed systems are used to illustrate output for the models mentioned above. The object-oriented methodology employed in the initial model (i.e., NSTS processing) permitted additional models to be implemented in a minimum amount of time and effort

The Ames-Lockheed orbiter processing scheduling system

A general purpose scheduling system and its application to Space Shuttle Orbiter Processing at the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) are described. Orbiter processing entails all the inspection, testing, repair, and maintenance necessary to prepare the Shuttle for launch and takes place within the Orbiter Processing Facility (OPF) at KSC, the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB), and on the launch pad. The problems are extremely combinatoric in that there are thousands of tasks, resources, and other temporal considerations that must be coordinated. Researchers are building a scheduling tool that they hope will be an integral part of automating the planning and scheduling process at KSC. The scheduling engine is domain independent and is also being applied to Space Shuttle cargo processing problems as well as wind tunnel scheduling problems

Paper Session II-B - Checkout & Launch Control System

The Checkout and Launch Control System (CLCS) is a NASA-led effort to design, develop, and implement a new Launch Processing System (LPS) at Kennedy Space Center (KSC). This re-engineering of hardware and software will support processing the Space Shuttle and future launch vehicles in the Launch Control Center (LCC), Hypergolic Maintenance Facility (HMF), Space Station Processing Facility (SSPF), Shuttle Avionics Integration Lab (SAIL) at Johnson Space Center (JSC), Dryden, and the Main Engine Processing Facility (SSMEPF). CLCS is a distributed system utilizing state of the art technology in both hardware and software development. CLCS consists of four major systems: Simulation System (SIM), Real Time Processing System (RTPS), Business and Support Information Service (BASIS), and Shuttle Data Center (SDC). The goal of CLCS is to provide a system that will process the Shuttle more efficiently as well as reduce cost over the current system. To achieve these goals, the CLCS architecture will strive to provide standardization, rapid turnaround, automation, local control, multi-operation support, integrated displays, and desktop simulation using a flexible configured system

Managing computer-controlled operations

A detailed discussion of Launch Processing System Ground Software Production is presented to establish the interrelationships of firing room resource utilization, configuration control, system build operations, and Shuttle data bank management. The production of a test configuration identifier is traced from requirement generation to program development. The challenge of the operational era is to implement fully automated utilities to interface with a resident system build requirements document to eliminate all manual intervention in the system build operations. Automatic update/processing of Shuttle data tapes will enhance operations during multi-flow processing