Space Systems Architecture for the Crew Mission Trainer

Abstract

NASA needs to prepare astronauts for spaceflight training in nominal and emergency scenarios for missions in the post -Shuttle era. NASA will be retiring Space Shuttle training and operations in concert with the Shuttle retirement by 2010, and the next astronaut class will rehearse in new Constellation training facilities. The strategic plan to move from a winged, reusable space vehicle to an in -line rocket with a crew capsule at the nose has changed the crew flight environment considerably. Relatively benign flight regimes for the crew have now been replaced with scenarios having more extreme flight conditions. Ground launches will have considerable vibrations, shock and accele rations, and capsule reentry/landings could have sustained load conditions of at least 7 Gs. A review of current Constellation training and operations architecture has indicated a poten tial gap in coverage for a full-task trainer that simulates the most extreme conditions. In order to support future space vehicle training and operations, a concept was developed for a dynamic three degree of freedom, centrifuge-based crew flight trainer which simulates the full mission environment in all flight phases. For this study, a rigorous systems engineering approach was used to create a fully integrated set of concept of operations, requirements, and an architecture that meets the needs of NASA in the 21st Century. Systems engineering techniques were applied to the architecture, using various analysis methods such as stakeholder interviews, use case diagrams, requirements definition, alternate design trades, and functional flow diagrams. The result of this study was a novel trainer based on commercially available technology that has received attention from NASA mission training/operations engi neers as a viable option for anticipated NASA plans regarding Constellation training and operations architecture. This analysis brought into focus the need for a trainer wit hin the overall Constellation architecture that simulates anticipated extreme environments. These environments include sustained positive and negative g-forces, acoustic environment, and vibration with flight-like displays, controls, and crew interfaces t hat will enable the crew to be prepared for nearly all possible flight scenarios. It was found beneficial to have all types of NASA flight training consolidated into one facility by using the proposed trainer, thus saving training time and cost.