PDP: A paradigm shift for NASA Space Shuttle Flight Design During my time working on the Space Shuttle I developed at NASA/Johnson Space Center a Parallel Distributed Processing (PDP) package to distribute tasks such as Space Shuttle trajectory simulations across the Unix workstation network we had at Rockwell Space Operations. The basic idea is very […]
NASA Parallel Distributed Processing Project Read More »
There are many different optimization algorithms and methods. The goal of an optimization algorithm is to analyze the response of a system by varying a set of inputs (“factors”), and determining the set of factors which yields the “best” responses. To a certain extent the choice of what method to employ depends on the system
Sequential Simplex Optimization Read More »
This project researched the application of Sequential Simplex Optimization and Experimental Design concepts to the problem of optimizing some of the target values used in the Space Shuttle first stage guidance subsystem. Shuttle first stage employs “open-loop” guidance, essentially flying an attitude profile based on current speed. I first found the optimum targeting values and
Optimized Space Shuttle 1st Stage Guidance Targets Read More »
When the Space Shuttle launches due-east from the Kennedy Space Center the inclination of the vehicle’s orbit is 28.45 degrees. This is the same as the Space Center’s latitude. The “orbital inclination” is nothing more than the angle between the orbit and the equator, i.e., how “inclined” or “tilted” the orbit is. If the orbit
Optimum Space Station Orbit Inclination for Space Shuttle Support Missions Read More »
Introduction to the C Programming Language As many books do, this started out as a set of notes for a class. I taught several C classes for the staff at Rockwell Space Operations in Houston when I worked on the Space Shuttle Program. What I wanted to do was to drive home that the engineers,
Introduction to the C Programming Language Read More »
Multi-Stage Monte Carlo Optimization Monte Carlo optimization has been a widely used optimization method for many years. It’s very easy to understand: For a set of factors (independent variables), randomly select values for each factor to make a set of inputs to the system and test the system response for each set. For example, referring
Multi-Stage Monte Carlo Optimization Read More »
What do project managers do all day? Why? Does it add value? What about all the artifacts (plans, schedules, reports, etc.) that are part of our days? What’s the value? This presentation aims to answer what we do and what value it delivers. How Project Management Adds Value Presentation (pdf)
How Project Management Adds Value Read More »
Many of the same competing project forces which are common in the business world are also well represented in the Shuttle Program. The Space Shuttle has always been a work-in-progress, constantly being reviewed, revised, studied, and improved. How is this constant change managed? Projects compete for scarce resources (knowledgeable staff, funding, time, etc.). Complicating the
Project Management Challenges in the Space Shuttle Flight Design Program Read More »
If you think about the title of the book for a minute you’ll start to understand what this book is all about. Suppose your company sold mobile phones and maintenance contracts for the phones. How would you pitch each product to a potential customer? You’d hand them the phone, let them feel the quality, maybe
Selling the Invisible, by H. Beckwith Read More »
This was fun. Many times getting VMware Workstation to install and build with the current Linux (Fedora) kernel is “challenging.” Often times it takes a Google search or two, and perhaps a patch downloaded and applied. This time it was different but still a headache. First, take a look at this discussion on the VMware
Linux VMware WorkStation 6.5.3 Adventure Read More »
