The development of a training program for the intravehicular operation of space shuttle payloads is discussed. The priorities for the program are compliance with established training standards, and accommodating changes. Simulation devices are also reviewed

Monsees, J. H.

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PAYLOAD IVA TRAINING AND SIMULATION
James H. Monsees
Crew Systems (62-91)
Space Systems Division
LMSC
LOCKHEED MISSILES 8: SPACE COMPANY, INC.
https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=19830002916 2020-03-21T23:23:10+00:00Z
PAYLOAD IVA TRAINING AND SIMULATION
James H. Monsees, Orgn 62-91
LMSC, Sunnyvale, California
ABSTRACT
Training activitiesfor the payload are the only Space Shuttle flightcourses which are
not the responsiblity of NASA *. Payload training is conducted by the payload
developer. Lockheed, in this role,has implemented a training development methodo-
logy, in support of its payloads, which iseconomical to the program while fulfilling
the contractual requirements. The major points of this paper describe Lockheed's
training and simulation development approach and contrast them with both the NASA
and the Instructional Systems Development approaches, to illustrate how economics
are achieved.
* Excluding those NASA payloads developed 'in-house'.
Challanges of Payload Trainins Development
Payload IVA training programs present some unique challenges to the contractor.
These tend to make the development of payload training relatively expensive
proposition. The four primary "unique" characteristics and the methods Lockheed is
using to meet the challenges they present are discussed below. They include (1)
compliance with established training standards, (2) meeting varied needs, (3) main-
taining security, and (_) accommodating changes.
Compliance With Established Standards
An initial consideration is that as the contractor, Lockheed, is developing training for
a clientele with very regimented procedures, operations languages, and document
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formats. Payload training development teams must be familiar with NASA docu-
mentation and the customer's preference (Military specificationss Military standardss
etc.) to insure development of acceptable training programs. The key to cost
reduction is for the contractor to be close to 'on target' with the early iterations of
the training plan and the first package of training materials.
Meeting Varied Needs
The Payload training programs are designed to familiarize all of the responsible crew
members with Space Shuttle payloads. All of the personnel who must become
familiar with the payload's characteristics, payload operationsj and the materials
equipment and aides associated with those operations will be taught by the contrac-
tor. While the training is intended for the Payload Specialists since he is the primary
operator, the courses must be given also to Payload Operations Control Center
(POet) ground crews, NASA ground crews, and the NASA flight crew_ to meet their
specific needs. Typically, while the Payload Specialist operates the payloads from
the aft flight decks the Mission Specialist is his IVA back-ups the pilot provides EVA
supports the commander and pilot position the Orbiter and use the RMS to support
payload operations and the ground crews execute commands and monitor crew
activities and payload status. The instruction associated with payloads, then must be
packaged in several ways to meet the varied needs. The challenge to the contractor_
attempting to compete in the payloads market place, is to develop the fewest
programs possible for meeting everyone's needs.
Maintaining Security
Another unique characteristic of payloads is that some of them must be buUt, tested
and operated in secrecy. Classified payload training imposes many constraints on the
contractor as the training developers and on all of the personnel who are to be
trained. Payload courses which are classified must handle and control classified
materials, provide secure training facilities and secure simulation interfaces. Ob-
viously, classified training is a cost driver, but costs can be controlled through a
mature security program. The primary planning factor which is impacted by
classified training courses is response time. Because of the requirements for all
program participants, written materials and training aids to be controlled, there is a
slow-down effect on requirements analysis, course development, and course imple-
mentation and revision.
Accommodatin_ Chanse
A second characteristic of payload training programs, in contrast to the NASA Space
Shuttle flight programs, is that the hardware and the operations tend to be uniquely
different for each payload. There is very little "generic" training in the payload
cirriculum. A second challenge, then, is to continue to develop totally new programs,
while maintaining quality in the curiculum.
LMSC Approach to Payload Trainin_ Challenses
The training development responsibility for each Lockheed payload falls on each
specific program office. The Program Training Manager staffs his training group as
efficiently as possible. The manager usually calls upon LMSC's Space System
Division's Crew Systems organization for providing an experienced Space Shuttle
interface team.
The Crew Systems group employs a variety of disciplines, which interface with
program engineers at various stages of program development. Figure l gives a
breakdown of the LMSC Crew Systems group and highlights the relationship to
training and simulation for each program. This approach of manning the program
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with a Shuttle oriented group, assures that a body of experience will be available to
each new program.
The Program Training Manager uses the Crew Systems personnel (who have usually
been involved in program proposals) to interpret both NASA and military standards
and specifications, to review standard NASA and Ground Crew operating procedures
and to assist in or lead the development of specific modules of the training program.
The availability of a body of personnel who are experienced in Shuttle Payload
development is invaluable in the efficient production of new training programs.
A vital element of new payload training program development is interface planning
Lockheed has established three levels of working groups to insure this interface. Th
working groups, as shown ill Figure 2 consist of the Crew Training Committee (CTC
the Crew Activities Working Group (CAWG) and the Payload Operations Workir
Group (POWG). The CTC is an in-program group consisting of writers al
instructors, which regularly integrates training and simulation development acti_
ties. The CAWG is an LMSC wide group which interfaces the Program Traini
Manager with course writers_ editors, artists, and security personnel. This grc
meets to coordinate the production, evaluate and distribute course materials.
The POWG is an interface group in which the developers and all of the users have
opportunity to review objectives and status of the payload training progra
throughout their stages of development. The employment of planned interfaces
all personnel involved signilicantly reduces the amount of time lost in pursui
invalid requirements.
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FIG I CREII SYSTEH$ AELATi0NSIIIP TO I,,_C PAOUAA/qS
FIG 2 WORKING GROUPS ESTABLISH VITAL INTERFACES
CREW TRAINING
COP_ITTEE (CTC)
JPO (Status review)
P/L TANG I_NAGEA
COURSE MRITEU
INSTRUCTORS
CREW ACTIVITIES
WORKING GROUP (CAWG)
JPO (Status review)
P/L TANG RANAGER
COURSE HA|TARS
INSTRUCTOR
EDITOR
ARTIST
PU|LISHER
SECURITY
PAYLOAD OPERATIONS
WORKING GROUP (PO_G)
JPO (Status review)
NASA
EXPERIRENTERS
P/L TANG RANAGEA
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Meeting Varied Needs
Several actions are taken to make training programs meet the needs of all the
personnel involved, while keeping costs to a minimum. The tasks of all payload
operations personnel are analyzed; a program which meets the most stringent needs
(those of the Payload Specialist) isdeveloped, and a simple tailoring strategy (for
other personnel's training)isdevised and implemented.
The multi-level task analysis of allground or flightpositions isessential. It provides
scope for the training developers. The data for most of the analyses are found in the
program proposal, the training plan and PIP annexes.
The analysis can be multi-level, in contrast to ISD methodology which insists upon
rigorous task analysis for all tasks. Tasks which are understood and for which
training is straight-forward receives no more than a simple inventory. On the
contrary, critical tasks which are new, such as for example, IVA-EVA coordination of
a manual-override operation, undergo task-timelining in detail.
Training is developed using a moderately complicated Payload Specialist scenario,
which exercises all payload interfaces in the aft flight deck. The development
assures that the Payload Specialistunderstands his mission, all of his interfaces, his
equipment and the payload dedicated hardware. He experiences three stages of
training:information, part-task (hands-on),and rehearsals.
Training for other personnel is usually based extensively on the Payload Specialists
program. The cost effectiveness concern emphasizes the need for very minimal
changing of the core training program. In a recent payload training program, hands-
on training was deleted from the ground crew courses and instructors modified their
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presentations to provide details or overviews, based on what the different groups
required. Figure 3 sum;narizes the recent payload course development approach.
As a final step in keeping costs down, Lockheed has innovatively developed an
approach to reduce dedicated, hard training materials. That is, no texts, no rums,
videotapes nor workbooks are developed specifically for payload training. The only
dedicated training products for the most recently developed course were a training
plan and viewfoils. The comprehensive training plan contains the course and lesson
objectives providing consistent direction for the course development. The training
viewfoils were used to guide the instructors and were used as handouts.
Maintaining Security
Security is a crucial concern for payload training developers. Security, which is
required for program training personnel, documentation, facilities and communi-
cations interfaces increases the cost of payload training programs.
Lockheed classified programs use, in addition to internal personnel, personnel from
the editing staff who maintain program clearances. This editing staff interfaces with
the course production support functions such as artists, publishers, and photographers.
-These editors are the primary interface between the draft course materials input by
the course writers and secure production support facilities. They, as well as the
program course developers (writers) are familiar with the security constraints on the
materials developed. LMSC has learned that it is essential to use checklists to insure
that security provisions are included on the materials, that is that they are
appropriately stamped, given document numbers and are controlled. Also, forms are
used to pass course materials on its support functions for completion and to return
jthem to the course writers. Close tracking of security details is essential to prevent
a time loss due to misplaced pages or improperly marked course materials.
Secure facilities are provided at LMSC for classroom training and for hands-on
operation. Economy is achieved through the multi-purpose and multi-program use of
common facilities. In a later paragraph, the Advanced Vehicle System SATLAB is
described. It is one example of a secure training facility,
For future program requirements, there is a need to employ secure communications
for integrated training and simulation. These resources are in existance at Lockheed
• but are not currently used for Space Shuttle payload training.
Accommodatin s Chanses
Since payloads for each program tend to be significantlydifferent from one another,
the training courses themselves require unique efforts. The most effective way to
control training development costs has been to use experienced personnel, who
maintain source documents and lessons learned documentation and are familiar with
using reconfigurable simulation capabilities. Using this approach, the need to
reinvent is minimized.
Source documents for course development are maintained in data banks and readily
accessible to program course development personnel. Where experienced personnel
can short-cut analysis and training development time by using documentation from
previous efforts, this documentation is normally used as a starting point. Source
documents and lessons learned are a particularly valuable resource.
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Payload systems are rather complex and tend to be somewhat unstable until the final
stages of payload development. Lockheed has found that engineers who have skill in
presenting briefings are readily convertable into instructors and are well informed on
their subjects, due to their continuous involvement with the payload. A cost
reduction is achieved by eliminating the time required to train an instructor to be
totally conversant with spacecraft systems.
Reconfisurable Simulation
Lockheed uses the AVS SATLAB, mentioned earlier, as a hands-on Payload Specialist
procedures trainer, Figure 4. The SATLAB, therefore, is a vital element in Payload
Specialist training. The SATLAB layout is shown in Figure 5. A secure training
facility, the SATLAB supports many aft flight deck requirements, including Payload
Specialist training. Payload Specialist requirements involve using interactive
monitoring/command panels. Use of the panel is normally moderated through
training scenarios: and it is operated only as directed by the payload flight data file
Orbit Operations Checklist. Since visual feedback of the payload is required, video
monitors are positioned at the aft flight deck windows.
To assure a cost-eHective, low risk implementation of the SATLAB, LMSC is using an
incremental development approach. The increments were planned in four stages,
each determined by payload program requirements and program funding.
The first stage uses actual _ Payload Specialist panels, and connects the panels
to the payload through hardwire cables• Also closed circuit TV is used to show
payload status visually.
10
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The second stage implements a Computer'simulation of the payload. The simulatiol
provides Payload Specialist panel malfunction indications; a capability which i
generally not available using the actual payload.
The third stage incorporates computer Image Generation of outside visual scenes t
incorporating a low-cost four window system. At this stage the orbiter attitud_
ephemeris and trajectory are modifyable.
The final stage of development involves including the RMS_ if and when that 1_
becomes an associated Payload Specialist responsibility.
Figure 6 shows the development stages of the SATLAB and some of the suppor;
programs which are driving the phased development.
Conclusion
STS payJosd training at LMSC is still in its nacent stages. However, the contir
growth of the Space Shuttle payload manifest_ the growing involvement of ma
the-loop and Lockheed management's commitment to support payload IVA tra
indicate tha_ Lockheed's training development programs will grow in parallel wil
shuttle payload program.
Through the aforementioned training approach techniques, Lockhead has been
reduce the overall tclassicW training program cost some 2 to _ times fror.
experienced previously. Thus, this realized saving can be passed on to the cu
as a substantial cost reduction - so important in the overall responsibility
contractor in support of STS payload development.
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Payload IVA training and simulation

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