SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL AEROSPACE REPORTS

A Biweekly Publication of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
VOLUME 44, ISSUE 8 - April 21, 2006

12 ASTRONAUTICS (GENERAL)
Includes general research topics related to space flight and manned and unmanned space vehicles, platforms or objects launched into, or assembled in, outer space; and related components and equipment.

Also includes manufacturing and maintenance of such vehicles or platforms.

For specific topics in astronautics see categories 13 through 20.

For extraterrestrial exploration see 91 Lunar and Planetary Science and Exploration.

20060010334 Government Accountability Office, Washington, DC, USA

NASA: Implementing a Knowledge-Based Acquisition Framework Could Lead to Better Investment Decisions and Project Outcomes

Dec. 2005; 44 pp.; In English Report No.(s): PB2006-105586; GAO-06-218; No Copyright; Avail.: CASI: A03, Hardcopy

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) plans to spend over $100 billion on capabilities and technologies to achieve the initial goals of the President's 2004 Vision for Space Exploration. In the past, NASA has had difficulty meeting cost, schedule, and performance objectives for some of its projects because it failed to adequately define project requirements and quantify resources. NASA will be further challenged by a constrained federal budget and a shrinking experienced NASA workforce. To help face these challenges and manage projects with greater efficiency and accountability, NASA recently updated its program and project management policy and is developing an agency wide systems engineering policy. GAO has issued a series of reports on the importance of obtaining critical information and knowledge at key junctures in major system acquisitions to help meet cost and schedule objectives. This report (1) evaluates whether NASA's policy supports a knowledge-based acquisition approach and (2) describes how NASA centers are implementing the agency's acquisition policies and guidance. NTIS

Expert Systems; Knowledge Based Systems; NASA Programs

20060010992 NASA Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX, USA

A 160-Day Simulation of Space Station Debris Avoidance Operations with the USA Space Command (USSPACECOM)

Lunde, Alfred; Foster, James Lee, Jr.; May 2006; 74 pp.; In English; Original contains black and white illustrations Report No.(s): NASA/TM-2006-213720; S-977; Copyright; Avail.: CASI: A04, Hardcopy

A joint simulation was performed by the NASA Johnson Space Center (JSC) and USA Space Command (USSPACECOM) to obtain information concerning the current space debris population for debris avoidance operations. Simulation results, which are extrapolated within this document, are intended for use in future space station operations. The simulation, performed from September 1992 to March 1993, used the Gamma Ray Observatory (GRO) - orbiting at a 28.5-deg orbital inclination, and substituting for a space station orbital inclination - as a target vehicle. As the simulation was carried out, USSPACECOM used the database maintained by its tracking network to search for conjunctions between the GRO and the tracked debris, and then transmitted results of the simulation to JSC for analysis. Over the entire altitude band studied, the debris flux and frequency of penetration of Space Shuttle orbiter 'alert' and 'maneuver' boxes were found to be much lower than the predictions of current models. However, if a maneuver box similar to that used for the Space Shuttle is used for a future space station, the number of maneuvers to avoid orbital debris will be prohibitive. Results of this study showed a very dynamic debris environment over the time period and altitudes covered. Author

Gamma Ray Observatory; Space Debris; Simulation; Tracking Networks; Space Shuttle Orbiters

20060011012 NASA Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, AL, USA

Second NASA Technical Interchange Meeting (TIM): Advanced Technology Lifecycle Analysis System (ATLAS) Technology Tool Box (TTB)

ONeil, D. A.; Mankins, J. C.; Christensen, C. B.; Gresham, E. C.; October 2005; 76 pp.; In English; Technical Interchange Meeting, 27-29 Jul. 2005, Huntsville, AL, USA; Original contains color illustrations Report No.(s): NASA/CP-2005-214185; M-1147; Copyright; Avail.: CASI: A05, Hardcopy

The Advanced Technology Lifecycle Analysis System (ATLAS), a spreadsheet analysis tool suite, applies parametric equations for sizing and lifecycle cost estimation. Performance, operation, and programmatic data used by the equations come from a Technology Tool Box (TTB) database. In this second TTB Technical Interchange Meeting (TIM), technologists, system model developers, and architecture analysts discussed methods for modeling technology decisions in spreadsheet models, identified specific technology parameters, and defined detailed development requirements. This Conference Publication captures the consensus of the discussions and provides narrative explanations of the tool suite, the database, and applications of ATLAS within NASA s changing environment. Author

Space Exploration; Spreadsheets; Cost Estimates; Data Bases; Systems Analysis

Source: NASA