S.O.P.H.I.A

Problem Statement

Flight operations is a high-stakes position. Because of this, efforts are constantly being made to minimize human error. A common mitigation strategy is to train operators with accurate simulation. This helps work out any flaws in operation procedures and prevents harmful actions to the spacecraft and the mission it serves. There is no better way to understand a system than to gain as much experience with it as possible. Capitol Technology University’s Space Flight Operations Training Center (SFOTC) houses the same simulation system used in industry. The experience gained from becoming familiarized with this system is invaluable to students. Therefore, making the program as real-world applicable as possible and maintaining it to standard should be a priority.

The SFOTC lab uses Hammers Company’s VSAT product for spacecraft simulation and Galaxy for ground system simulation. These products are compatible with real space flight missions today. Students studying Astronautical Engineering (AE) at Capitol Technology University are studying to be the next space flight operators and spacecraft system engineers. To earn their degree in this field, they require hands on experience with the simulators. Currently, the SFOTC only has the simulation programmed for the Attitude Control System (ACS) part of the spacecraft. ACS is one of eight subsystems that make up a satellite. Neglecting to simulate more systems will cause the simulation and student learning to be incomplete. This problem is a high priority issue for the AE program at Capitol. Oversight to add these components to the simulation, regardless of being high or low fidelity, will result in a training defect that will limit the qualifications of graduating students.

Significance

Capitol’s Astronautical Engineering students are immediately affected by this problem. They are expected to learn the skills developed through full simulation within their degree. Because the simulators are undeveloped, students are not getting exposure to the entire spacecraft systems operations. Going into the workforce, students will need to operate simulators and actual spacecraft with full mission scope using similar, if not the same, user systems. Only learning one part of that scope will inhibit the students’ learning experience and job readiness. The students are the customers who pay the university to be taught those skills. The AE program currently consists of about 100 customers. Solving the problem of incomplete simulation would benefit the students, their future employers, and the school itself. By providing access to real-world simulation, students gain the experience they need to become qualified in the work force, companies looking for qualified individuals will build rapport with the AE program, and Capitol Tech will host a more qualified and successful degree curriculum.

Solution

To make the simulation more complete, the approach to a solution would be to develop close-loop simulations of each remaining subsystem until total completion. Since a satellite is typically built around the science mission, the most important subsystem to develop first are the science instruments, then can the other systems be developed. My project would make efforts toward a solution by developing the spacecraft instrument simulation models to enhance the current student experience. If successful in developing another component of the spacecraft, it will be integrated into the simulation for student and faculty use. Although my project will not solve the problem completely, it is one substantial step closer to completion. This will result in a richer educational experience, leaving AE students better trained in their curriculum and prepared for the workforce.

Objectives

The primary objectives for this project are to develop an instrument simulation module that when implemented into the VSAT system will be usable on all 5 VSAT sims in the SFOTC lab. To develop the module so that the simulation altogether will automatically configure to default value settings upon startup, accept commands and generate telemetry packets, generate event messages in telemetry for each command received by the instrument, receive and respond to STOL procedures, and shutdown all telemetry and generate event logs with a shutdown directive. To develop at least one master mnemonic display page to detail current simulation values of both instrument and spacecraft commands.

Outcome

✓ Minimum Success: Add-on instrument simulation module will operate on at least one VSAT workstation and will start, receive telemetry, and decode commands.

✓ Ideal Success: The instrument simulation module will operate on all five VSAT workstations and will start, receive telemetry, decode commands, and output information to user status display pages and a database.

De-Scopes:

• Developing a scenario proc to induce an anomaly to the instrument system
• Writing user documents for Standard Operating Procedures

All necessary objectives are met for the product to be integrated into the AE course curriculum.

Students will further their Flight Operations experience by writing their own Operating Procedures while they learn the system. This is often the case on a real Flight Ops Team in the space industry.