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Multi-Disciplinary Analysis for Future Launch Systems Using NASA's Advanced Engineering Environment (AEE)
D. Monell, D. Mathias, and J. Reuther, M. Garn
2003
Abstract
A new engineering environment constructed for the purposes of analyzing and designing Reusable Launch Vehicles (RLVs) is presented. The new environment has been developed to allow NASA to perform independent analysis and design of emerging RLV architectures and technologies. The new Advanced Engineering Environment (AEE) is both collaborative and distributed. It facilitates integration of the analyses by both vehicle performance disciplines and life-cycle disciplines. Current performance disciplines supported include: weights and sizing, aerodynamics, trajectories, propulsion, structural loads, and CAD-based geometries. Current life-cycle disciplines supported include: DDT&E cost, production costs, operations costs, flight rates, safety and reliability, and system economics. Involving six NASA centers (ARC, LaRC, MSFC, KSC, GRC and JSC), AEE has been tailored to serve as a web-accessed agency-wide source for all of NASA’s future launch vehicle systems engineering functions.
Thus, it is configured to facilitate (a) data management, (b) automated tool/process integration and execution, and (c) data visualization and presentation. The core components of the integrated framework are a customized PTC Windchill product data management server, a set of RLV analysis and design tools integrated using Phoenix Integration’s Model Center, and an XML-based data capture and transfer protocol. The AEE system has seen production use during the Initial Architecture and Technology Review for the NASA 2nd Generation RLV program, and it continues to undergo development and enhancements in support of its current main customer, the NASA Next Generation Launch Technology (NGLT) program.
Introduction
The NASA Next Generation Launch Technology (NGLT)[1] program encapsulates the agency's longterm space transportation strategic vision and technology development effort. This NASA program places importance on improving access to space for both governmental and commercial applications. It includes the efforts to mature the technologies and design the launch systems needed for the near term (10-15 year), mid-term (15-20 year) and far term (25 years and beyond) time frames. Its primary objective is to develop architecture and technology roadmaps for the future of launch systems at NASA. The AEE system presented in this paper is currently focused on support of the NGLT program. The main effort is to fund the development of architectures and technologies for more reliable, safer launch capabilities at significantly lower cost than the Space Shuttle. Improving upon the current safety and cost metrics of the Space Shuttle is seen as an enabler for worldwide scientific exploration and commercial development of space. Previously, AEE was used in support of NASA’s 2nd Generation Reusable program. The 2nd Gen. RLV program was a joint NASA/space industry effort, where industry performed the design and development functions, and NASA assessed the results.
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