Page:Advanced Automation for Space Missions.djvu/379

 a wide range of activities where human and versatility are invaluable. It can be argued activity involving human participation ultimately preprogrammed and accomplished by machine, equally true that at present total automation intelligence that any can be but it is would be prohibitively expensive. There is a tradeoff made between full-and nonautomation, as suggested by figure 7.1. There is no single optimum level of automation, but rather a range of performance hybrids from which the mission planner must choose. As a technology base develops, incorporating advances in computer science, artificial intelligence, and robotics, the cost of autonomous operations should decrease, thereby reducing mission costs and giving planners more options. The Space Transportation System as described in the NASA Technology Model represents a well developed technology base amenable to future progress in advanced automation. Indeed, the scenario developed in the present study leads to a logical development of this capability. This is grounded on a rationale of blending man and automation for maximum productivity, together with the parallel evolutionary emergence of fully automated systems. The scenario provides a roadmap for actualizing NASA's commitment to advanced The study group considers a programs. Thus the facilities and sidered in three phases: (1) (2) establishment of a permanent

COST OF programs. LEO base critical to later programs plan can be conearly operations at LEO, LEO base and extended

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MANNED MANNED

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OPERATIONS OPERATIONS

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operations at LEO, and gram development plans continuously refined and tion from one phase into precise availability of the selection Priorities modify nologies of skills and techniques permitting development next phase. Further, there is some flexibility in of activities within a given phase (see fig. 7.2). or technoh)gical breakthroughs may reorder or some programs. However, the development of techrequired to support this or some similar plan or even distinct, (3) operations beyond LEO. Proconsistent with this strategy are updated within NASA. The transithe next is not chronologically depending as it does upon the should progress roughly according to the timetable shown in figure 7.3 to maintain an orderly space program development.

7.2 A Consistent Space Program Strategy This report has addressed several missions and numerous technologies may be integration network concerning automated, and problems related to space activities that undertaken during the next several decades: the of satellite technology into an intelligent capable of answering broad or narrow questions Earth resources; the exploration of Titan by an intelligent probe; the construction of an automated factory on the Moon which self-replicates and delivers useful products, such as energy via solar power satellites and other means; and the development and growth of a material economy independent of Earth supply using • PRESENT
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MISSION PLANNING COST OF AREA AUTOMATED OPERATIONS

ADVANCED AUTOMATION TECHNOLOGY

100%

DEGREE OF AUTOMATION

Figure 7.1.-Cost-effectiveness of automation in future NASA space missions.