Real-time Environment and Vehicle Dynamics Simulations for Space Station Freedom Integrated Test and Verification Environment

Abstract

To reduce the costs associated with developing real-time simulations needed for the Space Station Freedom (SSF) Integration, Test and Verification Environment (ITVE), the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) investigated the possibility of integrating existing simulations with the ITVE. The purpose of this paper is to present a five-step generic approach for "retro-fitting" existing, NASA-owned simulations into the ITVE, as opposed to developing ITVE-specific simulations. The goals of the approach were (1) to minimize the modifications required to successfully integrate an existing simulation with the ITVE, and (2) to minimize the amount of knowledge and insight needed into the simulation to make the modifications. The five-step approach is generic in that it may be applied to any simulation that is being considered for integration with the ITVE. To test the approach, a NASA-MITRE team applied it to a subset of the Multiple Orbital Object Dynamics Simulation (MOODS) system. The results of that exercise are presented in this paper.