Ground Support Process Time Refinement for Reusable Launch Vehicle Regeneration Modeling

摘要

To sustain operational effectiveness, the Air Force is investing in the research and development of space-based technologies. Ongoing spacelift research efforts are focused on developing operationally responsive Reusable Military Launch Vehicles (RMLV) capable of launching payloads into orbit within hours of a tasking notification. Previous Air Force Research Laboratory-sponsored studies by the Air Force Institute of Technology resulted in the development of the MILEPOST discrete-event simulation model. This model enables analysis of RMLV design impacts to responsiveness and manpower requirements. Our current research improved MILEPOST fidelity by developing parametric models of simulation process times in terms of certain influential factors which affect maintenance task times. Using the MILEPOST conceptual task flow, we developed a Work Unit Code structure that provides the means to document key maintenance tasks which will be required for vehicle regeneration between flights. Additionally, we determined that significant parametric relationships exist between task times and certain influential vehicle design and human factors. Incorporated into the MILEPOST model, the identified prediction expressions provide a more precise evaluation of RMLV design alternatives.