Real-Time, Integrated, Testing of Complex Space Architectures via Constellation’s Distributed Systems Integration Laboratory (DSIL)
- Paper number
IAC-08.D3.3.8
- Author
Dr. Polly Estabrook, Jet Propulsion Laboratory/NASA, United States
- Coauthor
Dr. Michael Cheng, United States
- Coauthor
Dr. Esther Jennings, Jet Propulsion Laboratory / CalTech, United States
- Coauthor
Ms. Laura Hood, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)/Johnson Space Center, United States
- Coauthor
Mr. William Othon, NASA Johnson Space Center, United States
- Year
2008
- Abstract
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has created the Constellation Program to develop the ground and flight systems which will enable human space exploration of the Moon and other planetary bodies. With this new mission comes the opportunity to infuse modern technologies, the challenge of selecting the appropriate technologies that will enable this vision, and the understanding of how these new systems will perform together in a complex and dynamic environment. To support the development of this complex architecture, the Constellation Program is building a Distributed System Integration Laboratory (DSIL) to support real-time, integrated, testing of the ensemble of flight and ground systems. DSIL will be composed of simulators, emulators, and ultimately flight-like systems which represent each of the Constellation elements and the communication and tracking system that unites the flight vehicles and ground systems. At the moment, simulators for the Crew Exploration Vehicle, Crew Launch Vehicle, Mission Control Center, Launch Control Center, and Communications and Tracking Network have been developed and interconnected via a wide area network (WAN). This virtual laboratory will be used for verification of requirements between systems, end-to-end data flow demonstrations, early hardware/software integration, risk mitigation of the Command, Control, Communications and Information (C3I) standard, flight and mission dry runs, and crew training. This paper will describe DSIL and the elements that compose it, and will highlight the challenges of running a distributed WAN simulation that produces accurate and useful results. We will explain the use of High Level Architecture (HLA) and Managed Automation Environment Simulation Test and Real Operation (MAESTRO) as interfaces between the labs and lay out our approach to synchronizing the flow of communication messages among centers. DSIL’s evolution from a software only simulation to a joint emulator / hardware driven emulation platform supporting the test and verification of the International Space Station phase systems will be detailed. We will then focus on the design and performance of the communications and tracking (C&T) simulator and emulator systems in DSIL. The near-term goal is to develop a platform that resembles the new ISS-phase ground equipment being developed by NASA in support of the Constellation’s C3I standard. The C&T prototypes will enable accurate engineering analyses and aid proper technical decision-making. The C&T simulator comprises orbital and planetary motion kinematics, link engineering, traffic load generation and a protocol state machine. The C&T emulator consists of a hardware baseband processor and a space link channel. It will also be compact and modular so it can easily adapt to changing service requirements. The challenges of interfacing these prototypes to the DSIL network will be covered in detail. Performance results based on the first set of demonstrations performed in late 2007 and early 2008 will be given.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-08.D3.3.8.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.