Human-Centered Computational Support in Space Transportation

Abstract

This paper focuses on the distributed planning of activities in space transportation, specifically for trajectory operations for the United States Space Shuttle Program. Faced with limited resources and vehicle capabilities, flight controllers attempt to develop a trajectory that is acceptable (if not optimal) for the Flight Control team. However, any time during a flight, new context might arise that necessitates revisions. To explore alternative responses flight controllers make use of multiple models of the relevant objects in orbit. A promising role for human centered, computational support lies in establishing the functional requirements of these models. The presentation will discuss three functions of such models, related to the human processes that attribute meaning to representations.