MESA Flight Dynamics Lab

The MESA Flight Dynamics lab provides the MESA analyst and developer with state of the art computing equipment and software. The lab provides high speed computers, mass on-line storage and backup capability that allow the NMBD engineers to process, design and develop analytical tools and techniques. The Lab also provides the network server and supporting equipment used throughout the MESA Division.

Goddard's FDF is a multi-mission operations facility that provides routine orbit, attitude and network support. Located in Goddard's building 28, the FDF has supported Goddard flight projects for more than 30 years. The FDF often provides operational services to non-Goddard projects as well, including launch support for both expendable boosters and the Space Shuttle, navigation support to National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) missions, and network acquisition data for non-Goddard NASA flight projects. Prior to 2004, the FDF was operated under the Consolidated Space Operations Contract (CSOC) and was managed at Goddard by the Mission Services Program Office. In 2004, management responsibility for the FDF transitioned to the NMDB. Contractor support for the facility is now obtained from the Mission Operations Mission Services (MOMS) contract, but will be replaced by the Flight Dynamics Support Services (FDSS) contract in late 2009.

The CAVE: Goddard’s Flight Dynamics 3-D Immersive Visualization Environment

The Goddard Flight Dynamics CAVE is an immersive stereographic (3-D) visualization environment, which permits analysts to interact with and visualize complex shapes. The name, CAVE, is a recursive acronym for “CAVE Automatic Visualization Environment”. While the Goddard CAVE was originally intended for mission design and engineering (astrodynamics research, launch and critical operational support, and spacecraft design and anomaly investigation), there is the potential to extend this resource to other areas of Goddard research and operations, including space and Earth science. The CAVE is located in Building 28, room N210 next to the Flight Dynamics Analysis Branch’s Flight Dynamics Facility (FDF).

Code 590 constructed, manages, and operates the CAVE. Designed by Christie Digital Systems and SGI, the CAVE is a four-channel design (3 walls and a floor) with a tracking and control system used for simulations. The custom designed structure incorporates mirrors and projector mounts, Mirage S+4K projectors (38-DSP104-x6), four 96” by 128” soft display screens and a rigid 128” by 96” floor screen. The approximate viewing footprint is 12’x12’x12’. It uses four graphics pipes in a Linux based visualization system with a resolution of 1440 x 1050. A tracking headset, command wand, and wireless eyewear allow the user to command and control the visualizations. It is multiplexed for active stereo using hardware compositors to combine the pipes. The skeletal structure shown is approximately 30’ wide, 25’ deep, and 15’ high.

With advanced capabilities in computer systems and graphics, the CAVE enhances present research and technology development at GSFC and creates a multiple use visual computing environment. For example one can investigate mechanical and propulsion designs before spacecraft are built and design trajectories using advanced methods such as invariant manifolds. Eventually, Code 590 engineers hope to establish interfaces between the CAVE and the FDF as well as other operations facilities in order to view near real-time events, such as lunar orbit insertion maneuvers and lunar landing. Another benefit is to create a Community Visualization Environment by linking the GSFC CAVE with other computing systems at other NASA centers and universities.