Methods and tools for aerospace operations modeling and simulation: modeling the space shuttle

Abstract

We summarize our methodology for modeling space shuttle processing using discrete event simulation. Why the project was initiated, what the overall goals were, how it was funded, and who were the members of the project team are identified. We describe the flow of the space shuttle flight hardware through the supporting infrastructure and how the model was created to accurately portray the space shuttle. The input analysis methodology that was used to populate the model elements with probability distributions for process durations is described in the paper. Verification, validation, and experimentation activities are briefly summarized.