Space Vehicle Systems Analysis : MSFC Tools and Processes

Abstract

The Advanced Concepts Office at the Marshall Space Flight Center is an organization that can trace its roots to the days just before the launch of the Saturn launch vehicles and has distinguished itself for systems engineering and systems analysis necessary to define the future of the center and Agency. Systems analysis has evolved considerably in recent history and as computing power and knowledge has increased, the processes by which concept trade decisions are made have evolved comparably. This paper will describe the processes and tools used at Marshall Space Flight Center in the Advance Concepts Office and the Engineering Directorate Vehicle Integrated Performance Analysis (VIPA) team, the products generated using these tools and processes and future plans for further development of capabilities for advance transportation systems for the exploration of near Earth space and deep space; both human and robotic.