Data modeling and simulation is a discipline of ever growing importance to large scale complex aerospace programs. However, data modeling and simulations of aerospace systems are frequently disjointed in time over the program lifecycle, across the end-to-end data flow, and in scope (e.g., limited treatment of multi-mission shared resources, such as ground stations, across program boundaries). Addressing these concerns may provide substantial benefits to the program in effectiveness and efficiency. This poster describes our vision for an integrated data modeling and simulation capability on the Joint Polar Satellite System (JPSS) Program. It provides an overview of the system architectures of the simulation assets, identifies key system trades, and discusses some of the anticipated challenges and opportunities.

The Joint Polar Satellite System is the next generation of polar orbiting weather and climate observing satellites and associated launch and ground components, operated by the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) Goddard Space Flight Center is serving as the JPSS Program acquisition agent and systems integrator. Substantial aspects of the JPSS architecture are inherited from a precursor program that was restructured in 2010. In addition to the satellites procured by the JPSS Program, the JPSS ground segment will also support satellites outside the JPSS Program boundary, including those from defense and international partners. Within this context, the integrated data modeling and simulation capability must provide long-term support to several program activities including training and certification of the operations team, rehearsal of normal and contingency operational procedures, validation of some space to ground interfaces, instrument and spacecraft software verification and validation, and on-orbit anomaly investigations.

We propose a modular and extensible system architecture to sustain a long-term multi-mission integrated data modeling and simulation capability in a cost-effective manner. This architecture mimics the structure of the ground-link (command, communications and telemetry) and space segments. There are some program activities where a high degree of fidelity is required. For these activities, such as during verification and validation of flight software updates, the simulators must behave just as the authentic flight vehicle. High fidelity simulators typically require high cost flight-like hardware components. However, the fidelity requirements for other program activities are less stringent, such as support for pre-launch activities, and verification of ground segment elements. These considerations have led us toward the development of two classes of flight vehicle simulators (high and moderate fidelities) for cost effectiveness, with a common ground link interface for flexibility.

The expected contributions of this poster are to raise the awareness of our integrated data modeling and simulation capability within the operational environmental satellite systems community, and to identify any applicable resources or lessons learned by the broader community.