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NASA NTRS2018

Marrying Social Media Approaches and Space Flight Control - Eight Years at SpaceOps

This paper shows how Marshall Space Flight Center's (MSFC) ISS Payload Operations Integration Center (POIC) is realizing the above goals via a) enhancements to the Console Log Tool (CoLT) first deployed in 2012 and b) the Communications Dashboard (CommDash) software suite deployed in 2017. In addition to technical discussion, the paper chronicles CommDash's role in emergence of an Agile development process and a Human Factors community of practice within MSFC's Payload Mission Operations Division (PMOD).

Scott, D. W.↗
NASA NTRS2018

Marrying Social Media Approaches and Space Flight Control: Eight Years at SpaceOps

Three previous SpaceOps papers [1-3] - published in 2010, 2012 (honored by the Conference as a "Best Paper"), and 2014 - have discussed paths to using social media concepts and techniques to enhance space flight controller effectiveness by a) reducing clutter of nonverbal communications (e.g., visual flow with minimal headers and shared content instead of multiple copies), b) moving some voice communication to non-verbal transmission (virtually eliminating "say again" requests because non-verbal comm can be re-read), thus making remaining voice comm easier to focus on, and c) reducing short-term and long-term flight stress on flight control personnel. This paper shows how Marshall Space Flight Center's (MSFC) ISS Payload Operations Integration Center (POIC) is realizing the above goals via the Communications Dashboard (CommDash) software suite deployed in 2017 (including enhancements to the Console Log Tool (CoLT) discussed in earlier papers). Two larger-scope benefits spawned by CommDash evolution are also chronicled: a) emergence of an Agile Software Development (ASD) process adapted to the not-always-nimble environment of government projects, and b) the sprouting of a Human Factors Engineering (HF or HFE) community of practice within MSFC's Payload and Mission Operations Division (PMOD).

Scott, David W.↗
NASA NTRS2018

NASA GIBS and Worldview: Leveraging Visualizations to Improve Data Discovery

NASA's Global Imagery Browse Services (GIBS) leverages scientific and community best practices and standards to provide a scalable, compliant, and authoritative source for NASA Earth Observing System (EOS) Earth science data visualizations. Since 2013, its goal has been to "transform how end users interact and discover [EOS] data through visualizations." Imagery layers within GIBS allow end users to easily and quickly interact with full resolution, pre-generated visualizations of scientific parameters. This interactive discovery approach relies on visual observation and identification of phenomena that are not as simply identified otherwise.

Global Imagery Browse Services↗
NASA NTRS2018

A SysML Model Template for NASA Concurrent Engineering Studies

Systems Engineers at NASA Langley’s Engineering Design Studio (EDS) have been developing a SysML** template that models both the EDS concurrent engineering study process and the system of interest for the study. Specifically, the model template is used to develop end-to-end space-based mission concepts. The model template evolved through targeted use and technical feedback during several EDS studies in 2016-17. This year, a model template version was completed that is being tested for use throughout EDS studies. It features ease of navigation through the documented study process to create the logistical articles (e.g. session agenda) and technical articles (e.g. system requirements) connected in the study SysML model, resulting in demonstrable and trackable relationships between the system design and the study goals and objectives. The model template allows easy release of the system of interest portion at the end of the EDS study. The customers may use this as a starter model as their project moves forward. The model template design details and the motivation for them will be explained in this paper. This will be followed by the results of the first trials of the model template in an EDS study, and discussion of the integration of this template into the NASA MBSE Community of Practice.

Infeld, Samantha I.↗
NASA NTRS2019

NASA GIBS and Worldview: Leveraging FOSS for NASA Earth Science Data Visualizations

The NASA Global Imagery Browse Services (GIBS) and Worldview interactive mapping site leverage scientific and community best practices, open source software, and public standards to provide a scalable, compliant, and authoritative source for NASA Earth Observing System (EOS) Earth science data visualizations. GIBS and Worldview allow end users to easily and quickly interact with more than 800 full resolution pre-generated raster- and vector-based visualizations. This interactive discovery approach relies on visual observation and identification of phenomena that are not as simply identified otherwise. This eLightning presentation will exhibit the broad set of capabilities and visualization layers made possible through the GIBS and Worldview open source software. Specific dependencies on, and contributions to, open source software will be highlighted. Additionally, opportunities for future improvements for better interoperability and reuse through open source software will be discussed.

NASA Global Imagery Browse Services (GIBS)↗
NASA NTRS2019

Realized Benefits from the Model-Based Systems Engineering Infusion and Modernization Initiative

Although Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) as a concept has existed for over a decade, overall acceptance within the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has been slow and is now growing. Since 2016, NASA’s MBSE Infusion And Modernization Initiative (MIAMI) has proven MBSE’s value to and increased its adoption at NASA. MBSE Pathfinder projects provided focused use cases that demonstrated both qualitative and quantitative benefits for systems engineering activities, and demonstrated the ability to connect MBSE models with discipline models such as structural loads and safety and mission assurance. MIAMI assisted NASA’s field centers to establish or enhance an MBSE presence. MIAMI partners with JAXA’s Systems Technology Unit to share lessons learned and demonstrate how MBSE can be used across organizations. Following its successful test cases, MIAMI is using design thinking, lean startup, and high technology marketing methodologies to implement a targeted deployment of its Community of Practice and other resources.

MBSE↗
NASA NTRS2020

PACE Technical Report Series, Volume 9: PACE Applications Plan

This volume presents PACE mission’s plan for development and execution of a PACE Applications Program. NASA maintains an Applied Sciences Program (https://appliedsciences.nasa.gov) to help institutions and individuals make better decisions about our environment, food, water, health and safety through the use of NASA data. In 2016, NASA Headquarters began requiring all flight projects to implement a Project Applications Program with the purpose of: (a) scoping and developing applied research and applications as part of the overall mission concept; (b) demonstrating the project’s benefit to society and contributions to the achievement of societal outcomes; (c) identifying specific product applications and Communities of Potential to better understand the impacts and benefit from using project products and models; (d) increasing the utility of data products; and (e) fostering a Community of Practice who can work with the project throughout the emission life cycle. In response to and in support of this NASA Headquarters directive, the PACE mission developed this PACE Applications Program Plan. While consideration of applications and applied sciences has always been embedded into PACE, the Applications Program truly kicked into high gear in December 2019 (see https://pace.gsfc.nasa.gov). At the time of this writing, the number of PACE Early Adopters has already reached 20. And, the first PACE Applications Workshop will be held (virtually) in late September 2020, with 500 attendees registered. My congratulations and thanks to the PACE Applications Program team for a tremendous first year.

Maria Tzortziou↗
NASA NTRS2017

NASA's Current Initiative to Improve Operations Planning

As a follow-on to the Technical Capability Assessment Team, in 2015 NASA began seven Agency-wide efforts to seek out opportunities to improve the effectiveness of NASA operations. One of these technical teams is the Mission Operations Planning team, charged with increasing interactions and efficiency for planning of mission activities. That team is chaired by the author with representatives from eight other centers across the Agency. As the strategic architects for the vision of agency-wide ops planning, the team has identified a number of new initiatives and techniques to improve planning, including: breaking down walls within centers which obstruct multi-mission planning; breaking down walls agency-wide which obstruct the sharing of ops planning lessons and capabilities; strengthening the community of practice of ops planning capability developers; establishing best practices for a variety of types of ops planning; defining standards for activity plans and timelines, and plan inputs; and recommending the presence of "multi-mission operations champions" within each center to implement these recommendations into the next decade.

Seal, David↗
NASA NTRS2021

A Quality Assurance Framework for Satellite Earth Observation Missions

Presented is a new quality assurance (QA) framework for Earth Observation missions that has been developed as a joint initiative between ESA and NASA. It aims ensure the rigorous assessment of all aspects of relevant aspects of mission quality, verifying claimed mission performance and, where applicable, reviewing the extent to which the mission follows community best practice in a manner that is “fit for purpose”. The QA framework has potential for more general use in both institutional and commercial Earth Observation – helping mission providers to understand the information their users' needs and empowering users to make informed decisions about which data is fit for their purpose.

Samuel E Hunt↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Methods for Developing Successful Systems Engineers

Systems Engineering (SE) is a complex and challenging field that incorporates the knowledge of systems engineering processes, the ability to synthesize a wide-range of engineering disciplines, and the ability to lead a team of people to successfully accomplish the goals of a project. It requires hard technical skills and soft-skill leadership savvy. As a result, three main development needs are identified: 1) Knowledge of SE processes, the benefits of these processes to a project and their tailored application 2) Knowledge of a wide-range of engineering disciplines, how they interrelate in a system, and the development of sound technical judgement 3) Team leadership to direct and motivate a team of subsystem and discipline experts This paper describes the establishment of a comprehensive training and development program for Systems Engineers at NASA Ames Research Center that addresses in part each of these three areas from the perspective of the implementing manager. A variety of methods have been utilized including the establishment of a SE Community of Practice, a unique and innovative web tool, on-line videos, classroom training in NASA’s 17 Common Technical Processes, guidance on the tailored application of these processes, monthly technical talks, mentoring in both technical judgment and team leadership, and NASA’s Leadership Development Programs. While much of professional SE development must come through project experience, the approaches listed above can accelerate development. The diversity of skills required of Systems Engineering demands a multi-faceted approach to successfully train and develop this critical skill.

development↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Methods for Developing Successful Systems Engineers

Systems Engineering (SE) is a complex and challenging field that incorporates the knowledge of systems engineering processes, the ability to synthesize a wide-range of engineering disciplines, and the ability to lead a team of people to successfully accomplish the goals of a project. It requires hard technical skills and soft-skill leadership savvy. As a result, three main development needs are identified: 1. Knowledge of SE processes, the benefits of these processes to a project and their tailored application 2. Knowledge of a wide-range of engineering disciplines, how they interrelate in a system, and the development of sound technical judgement 3. Team leadership to direct and motivate a team of subsystem and discipline experts This paper describes the establishment of a comprehensive training and development program for Systems Engineers at NASA Ames Research Center that addresses in part each of these three areas from the perspective of the implementing manager. A variety of methods have been utilized including the establishment of a SE Community of Practice, a unique and innovative web tool, on-line videos, classroom training in NASA’s 17 Common Technical Processes, guidance on the tailored application of these processes, monthly technical talks, mentoring in both technical judgment and team leadership, and NASA’s Leadership Development Programs. While much of professional SE development must come through project experience, the approaches listed above can accelerate development. The diversity of skills required of Systems Engineering demands a multi-faceted approach to successfully train and develop this critical skill.

development↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Independent Technical Assessment of NASA and External Quantum Sensing Capability

- The Subject Matter Experts in the Sensors & Instrumentation Quantum Sensing Community of Practice (CoP) requested an independent technical assessment of the agency's capabilities in QS to understand NASA's internal needs and competencies related to QS and compare agency capabilities with those available externally including industry, academia, and other government agencies. - The outcomes of the assessment will help the agency in establishing appropriate strategies and investments to develop and maintain the state-of-the-art sensing competence and capabilities required to meet the agency’s future needs. - NASA Engineering and Safety Center Review Board approved the assessment request and assigned NASA Technical Fellow to lead and conduct the assessment by engaging NASA Centers, NASA HQ and an independent, non-commercial, and highly credible Quantum Sensing Experts from Academia, Department of Defense, other Government Agencies. The assessment duration is for one year, starting October 2021 and ending December 2022.

Independent Technical Assessment↗
NASA NTRS2023

Requirements Engineering Scorecard and the Next-Generation Space Suit

The objective for a NASA contractor, the performing organization in this case study, is to provide engineering services to develop and deliver the next generation space suit to NASA, the customer in this case study. A case study with qualitative and quantitative analyses regarding a new process and approach to requirements engineering is described, with the intent that if utilized, these tools may have contributed to improvements across the project in terms of meeting cost, scope, budget and quality while appropriately accounting for risk management. The procedure entails a research method in which the current state of the project, current state of the art, and the identified systems engineering challenges are evaluated. Iterative models are tempered through development by continual improvements by engineering evaluation of engineers on the project. The current results have produced a prototype of a requirements engineering scorecard with implementations of FMEA and quantitative analysis to (i) identify root cause of underdeveloped requirements and (ii) project management impacts with regards to project risk. Forward work includes customer, performing organization, acceptance against applicable INCOSE community accepted practices.

INCOSE↗
NASA NTRS2023

U.S. Spacesuit Knowledge Capture – Expanding Our Future

NASA is going to the Moon. And it will don a new spacesuit when it reaches its destination. NASA is partnering with industry to build the spacesuit and supporting systems (i.e., surface mobility tools) that astronauts will use on the Moon, starting with Artemis III. The Johnson Space Center’s (JSC) Extravehicular Activity and Human Surface Mobility Program (EHP) is managing this effort, and the U.S. Spacesuit Knowledge Capture (SKC) Program is expanding its scope to help. For 15 years, the SKC Program has collected, archived, and disseminated decades of spacesuit-related knowledge, as appropriate, to help NASA scientists, technicians, and engineers support space exploration. The SKC Program captures its knowledge by hosting and recording subject-matter expert (SME) lectures, interviews, and workshops. It also collects retired SMEs’ reports, drawings, and schematics containing legacy spacesuit knowledge. To build a technically capable spacesuit essential for future lunar exploration, spacesuit professionals borrowed much of their knowledge from legacy Extravehicular Activity (EVA) spacesuits. Most of the SKC Program’s captured knowledge has focused on legacy and current spacesuits. To support EHP, the SKC Program is expanding its knowledge capture focus beyond the spacesuit and will seek to collect knowledge from other pertinent topics (e.g., Lunar Terrain Vehicle and EVA tools). In 2007, the SKC Program began as an independent source, without funding. As demand for capturing essential spacesuit knowledge increased, consequently, the SKC Program’s funding increased. Expansion of the SKC Program was evident in 2019, when it seized the opportunity to capture the Exploration Extravehicular Mobility Unit (xEMU) buildup at JSC. In 2021, its collaboration with the xEMU Technical Community of Practice facilitated training and knowledge sharing with the xEMU team. In 2022, the SKC Program began supporting EHP. This paper describes the SKC Program’s expansive evolution, plans to support EHP, and more.

Cinda Chullen↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Independent Technical Assessment of NASA and External Quantum Sensing Capability

The recent FY 2020 federal Research and Development Budget Priorities memo addresses the leadership need in Quantum Information Science (QIS) directing agencies to “prioritize QIS research and development (R&D), which will build the technical and scientific base necessary to explore the next generation of QIS theory, devices, and applications.” Quantum Sensing (QS) is an integral part of QIS. NASA is a key part of the directive to forward American space exploration and commercialization by providing “capabilities that have broad potential applications in space and on Earth.” QS provides an arena for NASA to demonstrate leadership in both areas of the administrative directive. QS uses quantum properties to achieve unprecedented measurement sensitivity and performance, including quantum-enhanced methodologies that outperform their classical counterparts. Typical quantum sensors exploit techniques such as atomic systems, matter waves, quantum entanglement, quantum superposition of states, quantum illumination methods, and manipulation of photons and atoms, in general. Guided by advancements in our ability to generate, manipulate, and control quantum systems, the emerging quantum sensing technologies promise unrivalled sensitivity, resolution, and precision, potentially leading to game-changing applications. Significant gains include technologies important for a range of NASA missions such as remote sensing, in situ measurements, metrology, interferometry, quantum communication, ranging, imaging, radar and lidar receivers, and gravity measurements. NASA Engineering and Safety Center has convened an independent external panel, comprising of Quantum Sensing Experts from Government, DoD, academia, and Federally funded Research and Development Center to conduct an independent technical assessment of the agency's capabilities in Quantum Sensing to understand NASA's internal needs and competencies related to Quantum Sensing and compare agency capabilities with those available externally including industry, academia, and other government agencies. The outcomes of the assessment will help the agency in establishing appropriate strategies and investments to develop and maintain the state-of-the-art sensing competence and capabilities required to meet the agency’s future needs. The External Experts Panel (EEP) is collaborating with HQ, various NASA Center and the representatives in the NASA Quantum Sensing Community of Practice (QS CoP), a part of NASA Sensors and Instrumentation Technical Fellow Technical Discipline Team, in obtaining common, current understanding of agency mission needs where QS can be an important enabler for future needs, and any programs, projects, assets, and technologists working in QS. The EEP organized a Quantum Sensing Workshop of practitioners from industry, academia, other government agencies, external experts, and interested NASA personnel to gather the assessment information. EEP also conducted information gathering on the industry at large, educational institutions, and other government agency research efforts for capture in the assessment database. At the conclusion of this assessment, EEP team will develop findings and conclusions describing NASA’s capabilities for the mission needs, NASA's relative position on new, enabling technologies, and an analysis of the gaps that may present any risks to near-term or far-term mission needs. This presentation will give details of the NASA and External Quantum Sensing Assessment outcomes, findings, observations, and its recommendation to NASA as how it can advance Quantum Sensing technologies and techniques for its science and explorations related missions.

External Quantum Sensing Capability↗
NASA NTRS2022

Working Toward A National Coordinated Soil Moisture Monitoring Network: Vision, Progress, and Future Directions

Soil moisture is a critical land surface variable, impacting the water, energy, and carbon cycles. While in situ soil moisture monitoring networks are still developing, there is no cohesive strategy or framework to coordinate, integrate, or disseminate these diverse data sources in a synergistic way that can improve our ability to understand climate variability at the national, state, and local levels. Thus, a national strategy is needed to guide network deployment, sustainable network operation, data integration and dissemination, and user-focused product development. The National Coordinated Soil Moisture Monitoring Network (NCSMMN) is a federally led, multi-institution effort that aims to address these needs by capitalizing on existing wide-ranging soil moisture monitoring activities, increasing the utility of observational data, and supporting their strategic application to the full range of decision-making needs. The goals of the NCSMMN are to 1) establish a national “network of networks” that effectively demonstrates data integration and operational coordination of diverse in situ networks; 2) build a community of practice around soil moisture measurement, interpretation, and application—a “network of people” that links data providers, researchers, and the public; and 3) support research and development (R&D) on techniques to merge in situ soil moisture data with remotely sensed and modeled hydrologic data to create user-friendly soil moisture maps and associated tools. The overarching mission of the NCSMMN is to provide coordinated high-quality, nationwide soil moisture information for the public good by supporting applications like drought and flood monitoring, water resource management, agricultural and forestry planning, and fire danger ratings.

C. Bruce Baker↗
NASA NTRS2024

Expanding Impact with the James Webb Space Telescope: Combining Art, Science, and Technology for Public Outreach

This archived content may contain outdated information or references that may not reflect current policy or programs. NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope revealed its first images on July 12, 2022 and has been used for groundbreaking science since. Scientific exploration transcends international borders, making a mission like Webb feasible with collaborators including the European Space Agency (ESA), and Canadian Space Agency (CSA). Communication about NASA’s discoveries about the universe, so essential for involving the public, likewise needs to be inclusive to all. Art is a tool for cutting across the boundaries of language, culture, and ability, and serves as a bridge between the technical and non-technical communities. Art makes the beauty and nuance of science and engineering accessible in ways that may not be readily perceived to those outside of those communities of practice. Equitable and inclusive outreach endeavors are challenging to implement while considering language translations, culture context, sensory methods, and technology capabilities. Formats including “Unfolding the Universe'' virtual reality platform has allowed for a wider audience to interact with the Webb images including sounds, visual aids, and talks by the scientists and engineers who worked on Webb. This VR platform has been expanded to highlight the ESA contributors to the mission and will be showcased internationally. The Webb first images were also translated into sounds as a method of inclusion for anyone with sight disabilities. We will explore some successful outreach methods and suggestions for inclusivity in future.

Outreach↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

NASA and External Quantum Sensing Capability Assessment for NASA Space-Based Science Measurements

The Subject Matter Experts in the Sensors & Instrumentation Quantum Sensing Community of Practice (CoP) requested an independent technical assessment of the agency's capabilities in QS to understand NASA's internal needs and competencies related to QS and compare agency capabilities with those available externally including industry, academia, and other government agencies. The outcomes of the assessment will help the agency in establishing appropriate strategies and investments to develop and maintain the state-of-the-art sensing competence and capabilities required to meet the agency’s future needs. NASA Engineering and Safety Center Review Board approved the assessment request and assigned NASA Technical Fellow to lead and conduct the assessment by engaging NASA Centers, NASA HQ and an independent, non-commercial, and highly credible Quantum Sensing Experts from Academia, Department of Defense, other Government Agencies. The assessment started in October 2021 and final report was completed in October 2023.

External Quantum Sensing↗