Page:Advanced Automation for Space Missions.djvu/367

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intelligence and can benefit greatly from a hypothesis formation capability. As mission operations are presently conducted, machine intelligence can benefit the coordination of manpower, as well as enhance the mission software development and integration process. As mission operations are envisioned in the future, involving autonomous spacecraft operations and automatic mission control, a strong dependence on CS&T in general and nrachine intelligence in particular is unavoidable. Computer systems. In ground-based systems, and especially in spaceborne applications, NASA has a fundamental dependence on computer systems. Requirements include LSI and VLSI circuit design, fabrication and test techniques as well as fault-tolerance, error detection and recovery, component reliability, and space qualification. Beyond the component level, very significant primary and secondary storage requirements emerge. System-level issues become dominant, such as computer architecture (e.g., parallel processors) and system architecture (e.g., computer networks). Many of NASA's systems have severe real-tinre constraints, and techniques for adequate system control demand attention. Software. Much of NASA's technology resources are spent on software, yet relatively nrodest attempts have been made to improve the process of software development, managenrent, and maintenance. Given the exciting prospects for computer-based advanced automation in future missions, a program for more efficient, effective, and timely software development, management, and maintanance is mandatory. Principal software requirements are in the areas of programming languages, the software development environment, software validation, algorithm design, fault tolerance, and error recovery. Automatic programming should also be considered as a vehicle for improving the quality of software and the process of developing it. Data management. Data management requirements comprise a very large part of the CS&T-related requirements within NASA, and include most of the interfaces to the user community. The public perception of NASA's systems will be derived largely from their ability to use them and to derive benefit from them. Both the NEEDS and ADS projects have realized this, and have diligently considered the end-user interface requirements. Data management requirements include data compression, staging, integration, and dissemination, as well as the implied requirements of data autonomy. Scheduling, performance monitoring, and system control also imply data management requirements, as does sensor management. A fundamental element of a user-oriented system is an extensive directory service as well as a capability to model the user, to know the context of his requests and his level of sophistication. On-line tutorial capabilities are appropriate for a diverse user community, and provide valuable input to the development of a user model. Knowledge-base systems and constructs such as semantic networks can contribute greatly to NASA's data management capability. Database O'stems. NASA's current database requirements are not considered to be extraordinary from the CS&T perspective, although future systems supporting a geographically dispersed, technically diverse user community attempting to analyze or correlate sets of data spanning several distinct databases will require a sophisticated capability currently beyond the state-of-the-art. The requirements in this area include "traditional" database systems as well as relational database systems. The capability to satisfy queries which require access to several geographically separate databases is considered fundamental, as is a complete archiving capability. Management services. NASA has, to a large extent, avoided the application of contemporary CS&T (let alone nrachine intelligence) to the management of the agency itself and its own programs. Current commercial offerings in management infomration and word processing systems can substantially enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of NASA management, both at Headquarters and at the field Centers. State-of-the-art capabilities in on-line records management, calendar coordination, and "bulletin boards" can likewise have a significant positive impact. The automated office is a concept evolving from this work which could revolutionize NASA's management techniques. Some obvious requirements in this area are manpower coordination, document preparation, and forms processing (e.g., travel orders and procurement requests). Presently unexplored is the potential application of contemporary machine intelligence techniques such as problem-solving, reasoning, and hypothesis formulation to the management of projects and the exploration of policy alternatives. Human/machine systems. NASA has extensive requirements relating to human/machine interactions and currently has several efforts exploring the application of machine intelligence to these problems, primarily in the areas of hand-eye coordination and natural language processing. Requirements are primarily in the areas of human/ machine control processes and the interface between a human and an "intelligent" computer system. Coordinated work between the computing sciences and cognitive psychology may be required to make substantial progress in this field. Engineering. NASA is currently applying state-of-the-art technology in the engineering disciplines, particularly in computer-aided design, manufacturing and testing. The requirements of future missions, including xnining and manufacturingenvironments, a in nonterrestrialmandatecontinuingvigorousprogramin