Design for X (DFX) is a computer program that assists, at the prelimary stage of planning, in the evaluaiton of alternative spacecraft designs and mission scenarios. The input required by DFX includes a set of operations goals (scientific and engineering goals and constraints), a mathematical model of the spacecraft, and a set of scoring functions for quantiying the engineering utility and/or scientific value of various operations. DFX uses the operations-goals and model information, along with artificial-intelligence-based planning and scheduling techniques, to generate a high-level activiy plan that is then scored by the provided functions. The benefits of using DFX to automate the evaluation of spacecraft designs include (1) improved scientific spacecraft design, leading to improved science return; (2) greater accuracy analysis of margins and interactions, leading to improved operability of the spacecraft; and (3) decreased project risk (e.g., budget and schedule risk) from rapid protyping and analysis of designs.
This program was written by Tara Estlin, Darren Mutz, Steve Chien, Anthony Barrett, and Gregg Rabideau of Caltech for NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. For further information, access the Technical Support Package (TSP) free on-line at www.nasatech.com/tsp under the Software category.
This software is available for commercial licensing. Please contact Don Hart of the California Institute of Technology at (818) 393-3425. Refer to NPO-20492.
This Brief includes a Technical Support Package (TSP).
Program for Evaluating Spacecraft Designs and Missions
(reference NPO-20492) is currently available for download from the TSP library.
Don't have an account?
Overview
The document presents a technical overview of the "Design for X" (DFX) tool developed at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). This tool is designed to assist in evaluating spacecraft designs and mission scenarios, particularly focusing on optimizing scientific returns while managing operational constraints.
The DFX tool operates by integrating a model of the spacecraft, its operational constraints, and a set of scoring functions that evaluate the utility of different operational designs. It aims to answer critical questions regarding resource utilization, science value, and the impact of various design choices on mission success. The tool is particularly relevant for projects like the Pluto Express mission, which is part of NASA's broader exploration initiatives.
The document outlines the methodology behind DFX, emphasizing its capability to simulate various design options and assess their performance against predefined goals. It highlights the importance of a detailed model that includes spacecraft operations, science experiments, and external events that may affect mission outcomes. The DFX tool generates a Science Data Acquisition Plan (SDAP), which is scoped based on resource utilization and expected scientific output.
Additionally, the document discusses the preliminary model used in the DFX tool, which includes common resources and design options. It notes that the model is built on assumptions regarding spacecraft encounters and the timing of scientific data collection, particularly during critical phases of the mission. The scoring strategy is designed to reflect the trade-offs between different design options, allowing engineers to identify the most effective configurations for achieving mission objectives.
Future plans for the DFX project include expanding the model to incorporate launch and cruise phases, as well as integrating cost data for spacecraft operations. The goal is to refine the scoring strategy further and enhance the tool's ability to optimize both scientific and operational aspects of spacecraft design.
Overall, the DFX tool represents a significant advancement in the field of aerospace engineering, providing a systematic approach to evaluating complex design scenarios and improving the decision-making process for space missions. The work described in the document was conducted under NASA's contract and reflects ongoing efforts to leverage technology for enhanced space exploration.
