The Mission Scenario Development Workbench (MSDW) is a multidisciplinary performance analysis software tool for planning and optimizing space missions. It provides a number of new capabilities that are particularly useful for planning the surface activities on other planets. MSDW enables rapid planning of a space mission and supports flight-system and scientific- instrumentation trades. It also provides an estimate of the ability of flight, ground, and science systems to meet high-level mission goals and provides means of evaluating expected mission performance at an early stage of planning in the project life cycle. In MSDW, activity plans and equipment-list spreadsheets are integrated with validated parameterized simulation models of spacecraft systems. In contrast to traditional approaches involving worst-case estimates with large margins, the approach embodied in MSDW affords more flexibility and more credible results early in the lifecycle through the use of validated, variable-fidelity models of spacecraft systems. MSDW is expected to help maximize the scientific return on investment for space missions by understanding early the performance required to have a successful mission while reducing the risk of costly design changes made at late stages in the project life cycle.
This program was designed and written by Mark Kordon, John Baker, John Gilbert, David Hanks, and Dan Mandutianu of Caltech for NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory and David Hooper of Emaginit. For further information, access the Technical Support Package (TSP) free on-line at www.techbriefs. com/tsp under the Software category.
This software is available for commercial licensing. Please contact Karina Edmonds of the California Institute of Technology at (626) 395-2322. Refer to NPO-41382.
This Brief includes a Technical Support Package (TSP).
Mission Scenario Development Workbench
(reference NPO-41382) is currently available for download from the TSP library.
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Overview
The document is a Technical Support Package for the Mission Scenario Development Workbench (MSDW), identified by the NASA Tech Brief NPO-41382. It outlines a software tool developed by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) aimed at enhancing the planning and analysis of spacecraft missions. The MSDW is designed to address the challenges faced in traditional mission planning, which often relied on worst-case estimates and required extensive time—typically two to three weeks—to complete.
The MSDW integrates various analysis tools into a cohesive framework that allows for flexible and variable fidelity analysis of spacecraft systems. This integration is crucial for new classes of space missions, particularly during the formulation phase, where resources are often highly constrained. By maximizing the use of existing resources, the software aims to ensure that both scientists and taxpayers receive the greatest benefit from investments in space programs. It also seeks to minimize the risk of design changes later in the development cycle, which can be costly and time-consuming.
Key features of the MSDW include the ability to combine activity planning with equipment list spreadsheets and reusable, higher fidelity models. This capability allows for a more accurate evaluation of system performance early in the spacecraft lifecycle, facilitating better decision-making and resource allocation.
The document emphasizes the importance of the MSDW in the context of NASA's broader goals, highlighting its potential for technological, scientific, and commercial applications beyond aerospace. It serves as a resource for stakeholders interested in the advancements made in mission planning and performance analysis.
Additionally, the Technical Support Package provides contact information for further assistance and access to additional resources through the NASA Scientific and Technical Information (STI) Program Office. It also includes a disclaimer regarding the use of the information contained within the document, clarifying that the U.S. Government does not assume liability for its use.
In summary, the MSDW represents a significant advancement in spacecraft mission planning, offering a more efficient and effective approach to analyzing and optimizing mission performance while ensuring the best use of taxpayer resources.
