al@ames.UUCP (Al Globus) (07/26/84)
There has been a lot of discussion on the net concerning the efficiency of existing space systems. Many attribute inefficiency to NASA's governmental nature. This may be true, but since no private company has ever put anything into orbit we really don't know. In any case, I have been studying space systems in general and space station in particular and believe that tremendous cost saving could be made by computerizing the design and development process. The way things are done now is that tons (literally) of documents are generated describing the system in great detail, including engineering analysis and trade studies. Simply generating the documentation is a daunting task, and it is very difficult to verify interfaces. I believe that computer technology could be successfully applied to these problems. GE CAE has a tool that is a very good start. Unfortunately, their software is married to VMS (fie!). In any case, it is a good place to look to get an idea of what a space system CAD/CAE system must do, to a first approximation. What I am suggesting is that somehow, someway, a space oriented CAD/CAE system be built on top of UNIX. Once built, a data base describing standard systems such as shuttle and get away specials could be built. The system must have access to descriptions of the characteristics of materials in space, data from the long duration exposure satellite could be helpful here. As can be seen, this idea is pretty half baked. Maybe you can improve on it.