Engineering topics
Wessen, Randii R.
Publications and source records attributed to Wessen, Randii R..
Exploring the Science Trade Space with the JPL Innovation Foundry A-Team
The Jet Propulsion Laboratory Innovation Foundry has established a new approach for exploring, developing, and evaluating early concepts with a group called the Architecture Team. The Architecture Team combines innovative collaborative methods and facilitated sessions with subject matter experts and analysis tools to help mature mission concepts. Science, implementation, and programmatic elements are all considered during an A-Team study. In these studies, Concept Maturity Levels are used to group methods. These levels include idea generation and capture (Concept Maturity Level 1), initial feasibility assessment (Concept Maturity Level 2), and trade space exploration (Concept Maturity Level 3). Methods used for exploring the science objectives, feasibility, and scope will be described including the use of a new technique for understanding the most compelling science, called a Science Return Diagram. In the process of developing the Science Return Diagram, gradients in the science trade space are uncovered along with their implications for implementation and mission architecture. Special attention is paid toward developing complete investigations, establishing a series of logical claims that lead to the natural selection of a measurement approach. Over 20 science-focused A-Team studies have used these techniques to help science teams refine their mission objectives, make implementation decisions, and reveal the mission concept's most compelling science. This article will describe the A-Team process for exploring the mission concept's science trade space and the Science Return Diagram technique.
The Innovation Foundry’s Architecture Team – Identifying Tomorrow’s Space Missions Today
UNKNOWN
Exploring the Science Trade Space with the JPL Innovation Foundry A-Team
No abstract available
Space Mission Concept Development Using Concept Maturity Levels
Over the past five years, pre-project formulation experts at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) has developed and implemented a method for measuring and communicating the maturity of space mission concepts. Mission concept development teams use this method, and associated tools, prior to concepts entering their Formulation Phases (Phase A/B). The organizing structure is Concept Maturity Level (CML), which is a classification system for characterizing the various levels of a concept's maturity. The key strength of CMLs is the ability to evolve mission concepts guided by an incremental set of assessment needs. The CML definitions have been expanded into a matrix form to identify the breadth and depth of analysis needed for a concept to reach a specific level of maturity. This matrix enables improved assessment and communication by addressing the fundamental dimensions (e.g., science objectives, mission design, technical risk, project organization, cost, export compliance, etc.) associated with mission concept evolution. JPL's collaborative engineering, dedicated concept development, and proposal teams all use these and other CML-appropriate design tools to advance their mission concept designs. This paper focuses on mission concept's early Pre-Phase A represented by CMLs 1- 4. The scope was limited due to the fact that CMLs 5 and 6 are already well defined based on the requirements documented in specific Announcement of Opportunities (AO) and Concept Study Report (CSR) guidelines, respectively, for competitive missions; and by NASA's Procedural Requirements NPR 7120.5E document for Projects in their Formulation Phase.
Space Mission Concept Development Using Concept Maturity Levels; JPL Innovation Foundry
No abstract available
A three phased development approach for the web-based DSN resource allocation tool
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Navigator program risk management
In this paper, program risk management as applied to the Navigator Program: In Search of New Worlds will be discussed. The Navigator Program's goals are to learn how planetary systems form and to search for those worlds that could or do harbor life.
A New Approach for Prioritizing space shuttle Secondary Payloads
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Market-Based Approaches to Managing Science Return from Planetary Missions
A research plan is described for the design and testing of a method for the planning and negotiation of science observations. The research plan is presented in relation to the fact that the current method, which involves a hierarchical process of science working groups, is unsuitable for the planning of the Cassini mission. The research plan involves the market-based approach in which participants are allocated budgets of scheduling points. The points are used to provide an intensity of preference for the observations being scheduled. In this way, the schedulers do not have to limit themselves to solving major conflicts, but try to maximize the number of scheduling points that result in a conflict-free timeline. Incentives are provided for the participants by the fixed budget concerning their tradeoff decisions. A degree of feedback is provided in the process so that the schedulers may rebid based on the current timeline.
A Systems Engineering Approach to the Analysis of a Planetary Mission Ground System in Terms of Science Objectives
The most fundamental objective of all planetary missions is to return data. To accomplish this, a spacecraft is fabricated and built, software is planned and coded, and a ground system is designed and implemented. However, a systems engineering approach to determine how the collection of data drives ground system capabilities has received little attention.This paper defines a technique by which science objectives can be quantitatively evaluated. For illustrative purposes, it will be applied to NASA's Cassini Mission. This mission, to be launched in 1997, is an international endeavor designed to orbit Saturn for four years.The results of this systems engineering approach will show which science objectives drive specific ground system capabilities. In addition, this technique can assist system engineers in the selection of the science payload during pre-project mission planning; ground system designers during ground system development and implementation; and operations personnel during the mission.
Matrix evaluation of science objectives
The most fundamental objective of all robotic planetary spacecraft is to return science data. To accomplish this, a spacecraft is fabricated and built, software is planned and coded, and a ground system is designed and implemented. However, the quantitative analysis required to determine how the collection of science data drives ground system capabilities has received very little attention. This paper defines a process by which science objectives can be quantitatively evaluated. By applying it to the Cassini Mission to Saturn, this paper further illustrates the power of this technique. The results show which science objectives drive specific ground system capabilities. In addition, this process can assist system engineers and scientists in the selection of the science payload during pre-project mission planning; ground system designers during ground system development and implementation; and operations personnel during mission operations.
Science planning and sequencing for Cassini
This paper will address the science planning and sequencing aspects of the command generation process for the scientifically diverse Cassini Mission. The mission's prime objectives are to study the Saturnian system and deliver the Huygens Probe to the moon Titan. Together, the spacecraft and probe will be the largest and most complicated craft ever launched to another planet. The presentation will begin with an overview of the Cassini spacecraft and its scientific instrumentation. This will be followed with a description of the Oct. 1997 mission. Next, the structure of the science planning and sequencing process, with special emphasis on science's role, will be outlined. Finally, this presentation will conclude with a discussion of some of the unique challenges faced by the Ground System during Cassini's four-year orbital tour.