National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Small Business Innovation Research & Technology Transfer 2003 Program Solicitations
TOPIC F1 Systems Integration, Analysis and Modeling
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F1.01 Process and Human Factors Engineering Technologies
F1.02 Systems Architecture and Infrastructure Modeling
The goal of this topic is to enable the optimization of investments made in multi-disciplinary technologies for the development of on-orbit intelligent modular infrastructures and systems for manufacturing, assembly, deployment, servicing, repair, refueling to create and maintain an entirely new and revolutionary generation of space infrastructure. These systems of systems involve the development of integrated and interoperable components and sub-systems that are more capable than those currently achievable. The effort includes identification and refinement of advanced system and architecture concepts that may dramatically increase the self-sustainability, safety and reliability -- and reduce the cost while enhancing the multi-functionality, performance and capabilities of ambitious future human exploration missions and campaigns beyond Earth orbit. This topic also encompasses establishing a foundation of relationships with the space users community including the space, Earth and biological science community and potential commercial or international partners for in-space operations. Specific objectives of this topic involve the development and validation of innovative new analysis/modeling/design tools and techniques for 1) conducting advanced concepts studies to create/identify innovative new approaches to modular space infrastructures, energy-rich modular platforms, human-machine teams capabilities, intelligent self-sustained modular robotics capabilities, and affordable “Anywhere-Anytime” class access to space capabilities throughout the earth neighborhood 2) Conducting detailed, end-to-end architecture studies incorporating the most promising new systems and infrastructure concepts, 3) Develop and test in the laboratory concepts, technologies and validate performance and limitations, and 4) Continuous-thrust propulsion systems which offer an efficient and flexible compliment and/or alternative to traditional high thrust only chemical systems.
F1.01 Process and Human Factors Engineering Technologies
Lead Center: KSC
Participating Center(s): ARC
Process and Human Factors Engineering Technologies include research and development of innovative tools and technologies to improve process/task safety and efficiency. Spaceport launch and payload processing systems have many unique aspects that require development of advanced process, human factors, and industrial engineering technologies. Process and Human Factors Engineering Technologies emphasize the interfaces between people, processes, and hardware/software systems in specific work environments. Process and Human Factors Engineering focuses on the science of process improvement and optimization of operational phases complex systems, including current and future space transportation systems. The overall goal of the Process and Human Factors Engineering Technologies subtopic is to develop highly effective technologies for designing, implementing, improving, and managing safe and efficient processes, systems, and work environments that can be quickly adapted to the changing needs of current and future spaceports and ranges.
Process and Human Factors Engineering Technologies directly support NASA's goals of achieving safe, reliable, and low cost space access and exploration. Proposals may address the development of new concepts, methodologies, processes, and/or software support systems that advance the state-of-the-art in one or any combination of the following technology focus areas: modeling and simulation, human factors and ergonomics, task analysis technologies, process and operations analysis, life cycle systems engineering, and scheduling and risk assessment technologies.
Specific high priority Process and Human Factors Engineering Technology needs for the 2003 SBIR solicitation include:
- Developing technologies to improve or automate planning/scheduling/asset allocation functions for spaceports and ranges. Resource (people, hardware, etc.) management and allocation technologies. Schedule optimization technologies.
- Technologies supporting model development of vehicle/spacecraft flows and processes. Process simulation and streamlining technologies. Models of launch and landing scenarios.
- Operations management technologies for spacecraft testing, checkout, and verification, e.g., paperless work control systems. Paperless electronic work authorizing document and problem reporting and corrective action systems to be used during spaceport test procedure authoring, execution, and post-test data trend analysis.
- Character recognition inspection systems for vehicle and ground system inspections using technologies such as automation/robotics and expert systems/neural networks.
- Technologies to improve thermal protection system water proofing techniques and densification processes that reduce the hazard level to spaceport personnel. Develop new thermal protection systems and processes that do not require waterproofing or densification.
- Develop models to analyze the concept of universal pads for each class of launch vehicles; expendable launch vehicles (low, med, high) and reusable launch vehicles (vertical and horizontal launch). Establish connection points, fuel storage, logistics, processing requirements, automatically in the evaluation tool.
- Develop the capability to automatically record the entrance and exit of all components from an item such as a small drill bit to large ground support equipment within critical areas; i.e., automatic parts/tool identification and tracking systems. Electronic integration of identification for area access, equipment checkout/control, and personnel identification.
- Develop technologies to recognize/measure/record damage in thruster nozzles and thermal insulation incurred during manufacturing or processing. Develop technologies to enable automated vehicle inspection and repair of subsystems.
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F1.02 Systems Architecture and Infrastructure Modeling
Lead Center: JPL
Participating Center(s): JSC, MSFC
This subtopic focuses on the development of innovative modular space systems incorporating high levels of intelligence and enabling at least a factor 2:1 reduction in cost and 5:1 improvement in reliability and self-sustainability compared to current systems and architectures. These systems of systems, which involve the development of integrated and interoperable systems and components, require breakthrough technologies in four main areas: long-term survivability, administration of consumable resources, evolvability and adaptability, and long-term operation of the space system. Long-term survivability is to handle failures due to random events, design errors, and wear-out mechanisms. Administration of consumable resources is to maximize the acquisition and minimize the consumption of consumable resources such as power and fuel. Evolvability is to build in mechanisms so that the capabilities and functions of the spacecraft can be updated after launch. Otherwise, the useful life of the spacecraft will be limited by the obsolescence of the on-board technology. Long-term operation is to reduce the operation costs and maintain a workforce knowledgeable of the spacecraft. The tools should be adaptable to various NASA missions as well as to the non-space community. This subtopic should act as a building block to ultimately achieving an end-to-end product-based campaign for institutionalizing an innovative paradigm of space operations that makes possible a new dynamic era of reconfigurable hardware and evolvable software to create multifunctional systems of systems. This will reduce cost and increase systems capabilities and functionalities while increasing the safety, life cycle and reliability of space missions. Specific areas of interest include:
- Modular systems concepts, which are composed of a collection of similar or dissimilar elements that grow in capability and functionality as more elements, are added. Each element is smart, adaptive and self-sustainable and can be configured to perform a variety of functions in the overall system. The elements can be either separate or attached and interact via the remote exchange of signals or hard connections.
- A general purpose concept analysis, modeling and design optimization tool based on intelligent modules, general purpose design interfaces, expandable and reconfigurable architecture that can either be integrated in space or be able to be self-reconfigurable to evaluate or optimize a hierarchical system design based on user defined goals, parameters and criteria.
- Modular Structures: Structure elements and concepts for assembly with emphasis on joints and actuation mechanisms. Self-healing structures. Electron beam free form fabrication. These elements can be made with advanced lightweight materials or hybrids with embedded sensors and actuation that give the structures maximum adaptability, and reconfigurability.
- Modular Electronics: Distributed computing, storage, sensing, and power management, programmable gate array processors, powered without wire.
- Distributed Intelligence: Reconfigurable networks and architectures, autonomous reasoning, advanced human-machine seamless interface and collaboration, biomorphic software and cellular programming. Biologically inspired optimization algorithms, design, and systems such as perception and automated reasoning.
- Modular Robotics: Orchestrated assembly, servicing, and repairs, brilliant manipulators, human-robot teams, intelligent mission-adaptable positioning systems and assembly aids.
- Modular Components: Components and subsystems for cryogenic systems, power generation, and management, heat management, scalable radiators, thermal and electric conductive composite layered materials.
- Modeling structure that can accommodate systems and subsystems with their technology options. The model structure should be mission generic, yet capable of capturing space infrastructures system elements for assessing specific mission concepts. For example, the model should be capable of assessing the impact of specifying that a particular technology option be used for all elements in a mission architecture, including vehicle, surface and orbital infrastructure subsystems. In addition, this subtopic focuses on developing innovative computer based hardware and software tools, components and subsystems that can evaluate and analyze competing technologies from a systems point-of-view and will allow the offerors to have a product suitable for marketing by the end of phase III. The tools should be applicable to a number of different applications.
- Continuous-thrust mission design consisting of a synthesis of trajectory, vehicle, and operations considerations. A comprehensive analysis is needed to provide direction for development of emerging continuous-thrust hardware technologies. Specific interest includes: Precision dynamic modeling of N-body gravity fields, solar shading, solar radiation pressure, specific vehicle mass configurations, and performance degradation. Improved convergence. Monitoring of radiation dosage, power characteristics, and engine characteristics (duty cycle, accumulated engine on-time, efficiency). Analysis run times that allow both precise and parametric evaluation in a reasonable timeframe. Seamless transitions among gravity fields including escape, capture, and transfer flight phases. Seamless transition between propulsion modes allowing for hybrid propulsion configurations. Optimization capability based on trajectory and vehicle parameters (including both equality and inequality constraint features). Station-keeping in an N-body gravitational system. Guidance laws for selected maneuvers. Navigation of low thrust spacecraft - with particular emphasis on gravitational field transitions during planetary departure or capture phases.
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