Tradespace exploration of in-space communications network architectures

Making architectural decisions in long lifecycle systems is challenging because the time between system definition and end of operations can span multiple decades, resulting in shifts in stakeholder needs and major advances in technologies. Space-based communications using relay satellite constellations is one such example, requiring substantial up-front planning to define capabilities and size capacity due to the large investment of time and resources. Additionally, there are numerous viable system architectures. In this paper, we build on existing methods to develop a graph-based decision method to assess and explore architectural flexibility in the future evolution of long lifecycle systems. The tradespace graph defines edges between similar architectures, quantifies the switching cost between architectures, using graphs to analyse the potential system evolution pathways. In a test case on NASA communication satellites, we find that hosting government communications payloads, in particular optical payloads, on commercial satellites could reduce cost and increase flexibility of the NASA network.     

杰出的管理创造卓越的成就--访美国宇航局喷气推进实验室

创造卓越的成就 ,除了人才、资源、环境等刚性条件外 ,高效的管理 ,作为弹性条件 ,则起着斜率的作用 ,具有事半功倍 ,抑或事倍功半的效力。本文根据作者在美国宇航局喷气推进实验室 (NASA/JPL)作高级访问学者期间对该实验室的观察了解 ,阐述了喷气推进实验室的结构框架 ,特别介绍了实验室的矩阵式管理模式 ,项目类型与设置 ,人才管理、培养、考核与激励的方法与机制等。杰出科研管理的核心就是要营造一种鼓励创新思维 ,追求卓越成就的氛围 ,让科研人员最大限度地发挥他们的潜能 ,为我国创新体系作贡献。     

国外电装印制板标准跟踪研究

文章分析了电子装联技术和印制板在航天电子电气产品中的重要性和当今电子技术的新发展,提出了标准研究的意义,介绍了国外电装印制板标准,提出了我国航大电装印制板标准的发展方向。     

Formulation of financial valuation methodologies for NASA's human spaceflight projects

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) must continually evaluate proposals to upgrade its human spaceflight systems. These proposals may be initiated to enhance safety, improve performance, or provide improved cost value. In the current restrictive budget environment, the cost valuation should be strengthened to ensure the best use of limited funding. NASA has not frequently utilized financial analysis in project consideration, and business case analysis is often lacking during annual budgetary assessments. Some of the reasons inhibiting financial analysis are uncertainty in the projections of long life‐cycle costs, gains that may seem intangible and difficult to monetize, and the political environment. This paper explores ways in which some financial valuation methods, coupled with reformulation of project cash flows, might enhance NASA's analysis process. Among these methods is real option analysis (ROA), which is discussed in the context of several NASA upgrade projects.     

Contracting inside an organization: An experimental study

In this paper we propose and test a contracting mechanism, Multi-Contract Cost Sharing (MCCS), for use in the management of a sequence of projects. The mechanism is intended for situations where (1) the contractor knows more about the true costs of various projects than does the contracting agency (adverse selection), and (2) unobservable effort on the part of the contractor may lead to cost reductions (moral hazard). The proposed process is evaluated in an experimental environment that includes the essential economic features of the NASA process for the acquisition of Space Science Strategy missions. The environment is complex and the optimal mechanism is unknown. The design of the MCCS mechanism is based on the optimal contract for a simpler related environment. We compare the performance of the proposed process to theoretical benchmarks and to an implementation of the current NASA ‘cost cap’ procurement process. The data indicate that the proposed MCCS process generates significantly higher value per dollar spent than using cost caps, because it allocates resources more efficiently among projects and provides greater incentives to engage in cost-reducing innovations. Electronic Supplementary Material Supplementary material is available in the online version of this article at . JEL Classification C72, C92, D82, L32     

Handling the pseudo pilot assignment problem in air traffic control training by using NASA TLX

Simulator courses play an important role in a department training air traffic controllers (ATCOs). One of the most important elements of these courses is a pseudo-pilot (PP) who has active tasks during simulator training. At Eskisehir Technical University (ESTU) PP assignments are made manually to meet the demand of related courses by considering the availability of PP. Even where it is attempted to assign each PP equally in terms of period, personal workloads differ due to the different psychological (mental) and physiological requirements of the simulator tasks. In this study, the PP assignment problem is investigated using mixed-integer programming (MIP). For this purpose, firstly, an equal period assignment to pilots was attempted with a mathematical model, called the Equality of Periods Model (EPM). Then, simulator tasks were weighted using the NASA Task Load Index (NASA TLX), and an Equality of Workload Model (EWLM) was created based on these weights. Finally, these models were combined to make fair assignments with the Fair Model (FM). The results indicate that the proposed models significantly reduce the differences of workload and working period compared to manual assignment (MA).     

History,practices, and future of earned value management in government: Perspectives from NASA

The goal of this research is to explore the history, practices, and future of the earned value management (EVM) method in government, and seek opportunities and suggestions for wider implementation of EVM for managing, measuring, and controlling project performance and progress. First, this study reviews the historical background and evolution of EVM implementation in government. Then, current practices for implementing EVM are discussed through examination of EVM adoption and implementation at NASA. The research shows that NASA receives substantial project management value from its implementation of EVM, promotes consistent practices across the agency, and provides effective training on leadership, scheduling, EVM, and data analysis. This study also provides recommendations to improve and broaden the applications of current EVM and project management practices to other government programs and projects. Findings of this research contribute to the management of performance of future projects and programs and encourage the project management community to review and advance the application of EVM.