The increasing complexity of systems has enhanced the use of simulation as a decision-support tool. The popularity of simulation among competing quantitative tools can probably be attributed to the fact that it is both simple and intuitively appealing. It facilitates experimentation with real-world systems that would either be impossible or cost-prohibitive otherwise. Moreover, simulation is often the only scientific methodology available to practitioners for the analysis of complex systems. In spite of the advantages, however, only a small fraction of the potential practical benefits of simulation modeling and analysis has reached the potentially large user community because of the relatively high requirements of time, effort, and funding needed to build, maintain, and rapidly deploy simulation technology. TEAMS addresses key technical challenges associated with systems simulation, such as inadequate methods and tools for cost-effective simulation model development and deployment and inadequate methods and tools for cost-effective simulation model maintenance. TEAMS will provide current and future spaceport designers a knowledge-based infrastructure for quickly and easily developing, maintaining, and reconfiguring simulation models.

This project will design, develop, and demonstrate TEAMS, a decision-support tool that facilitates quantitative space transportation operations and maintenance process analysis. The technical approach involves the following tasks:

• Define TEAMS requirements.
• Design TEAMS architecture.
• Develop focused TEAMS demonstration application scenarios.
• Develop and demonstrate prototype TEAMS.
• Develop Phase II technology hardening and deployment approach.

TEAMS provides automated support for collaborative and distributed spaceport operations analysis. TEAMS will provide valuable decision information to spaceport stakeholders, analysts, and designers. Key functions provided by TEAMS include:

• Spaceport Knowledge Management: Browse, organize, and share knowledge about spaceports.
• Collaborative Spaceport Modeling: Facilitate collaborative and distributed spaceport operations and maintenance activity modeling.
• Collaborative Spaceport Analysis: Facilitate collaborative and distributed spaceport operations and maintenance activity analysis.

Potential TEAMS benefits include the ability to affordably explore a large number of spaceport decision alternatives, higher-quality spaceport designs, and reduced spaceport development, operations, and maintenance costs.

Key accomplishments:

• 2001: Start of Phase I project. Definition of TEAMS requirements.

Key milestones:

• 2002: Completion of TEAMS prototype software. Completion of Phase I Final Report. Formulation of Phase II technology development and deployment approach.
• 2003: Selection of KSC application areas. Refinement and hardening of TEAMS software. Development of focused TEAMS KSC application.

Contact: G.R. Rhodeside (Glenn.Rhodeside-1@ksc.nasa.gov), QA-C, (321) 867-7910
Participating Organization: Knowledge Based Systems, Inc. (Dr. P.C. Benjamin)