Aerospace Systems

Supporting NASA’s mission to revolutionize aviation

The UARC’s Aerospace tasks (summarized below) encompass the following ARC research focus areas:

Automated operations management systems, interfaces, and procedures.
Cockpit systems, interfaces, and procedures.
Human factors, their effect on aerospace operations, and error mitigation.
Hazardous environment characterization, detection, and avoidance systems.
Path-finding applications of ultra-reliable software techniques, using formal methods and automated code generation.

This research requires the integration of information technology, and the possible benefits of other technologies (such as nanotechnology) are also being explored. Work in this area is expected to grow to meet the needs of the National Airspace System and deep space exploration missions.

Current Tasks:

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Flight Control

Automation Concepts in Aerospace Systems

Air Traffic Management (ATM) Software Development

ATM Software V&V, Release, and IT Support

Airspace Systems Modeling and Analysis

Air Traffic Management (ATM) Fundamental Research

FAirportal Research

Engineering Support for the Aeromechanics Division

Flight Control System Software Development

Human Systems Software Development

NTX Research Station

Traffic Flow Investigation

VAMS Chief Blending Architect (CBA) Expertise

Archived Tasks

Automation Concepts in Aerospace Systems

The Automation Concepts (AFC) branch conducts research in En Route Decision Support Tools and Traffic Flow Management, combining expertise in guidance and control, optimization, human factors, algorithm design, and software development. As air traffic increases, En Route Decision Support Tools research must address the changing roles of controllers, pilots, and Airline Operation Centers (AOCs). Traffic Flow Management addresses the planning of the flow of several thousand aircraft in the continental U.S. in situations involving uncertain weather information and multiple decision makers. The key requirement in both areas is the development and improvement of appropriate models, followed by algorithm development and optimization, simulation, and validation.

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Technical Area Mgr:
B. Musaffar

Team:
D. Darling,
M. Jastrzebski,
J. Lock,
A. Mukherjee,
D. Mulfinger,
R. Salcido,
S. Swei,
P. Vandana

Air Traffic Management (ATM) Software Development

This task is developing software for decision-support tools that provide automation assistance for air traffic management. Such tools will benefit air traffic controllers by reducing stress and workload and will also benefit air travelers by reducing delays and increasing safety. The primary body of software under development is the Center/TRACON Automation System, or CTAS. CTAS is a suite of automation tools running under common software architecture including the following: Traffic Management Advisor (TMA), Multi-Center Traffic Management Advisor (McTMA), Final Approach Spacing Tool (FAST), Active Final Approach Spacing Tool (AFAST), Expedite Departure Path (EDP), Collaborative Arrival Planner (CAP), Direct-To (D2), En-Route/Descent Advisor (E/DA) and Traffic Flow Automation System (TFAS).

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Technical Area Mgr:
B. Musaffar

Team:
D. Chiu,
C. Freedman,
T. Goka,
K. Heere,
M. Refai,
J. Walker,
J. Walton,
S. Wang

ATM Software V&V, Release, and IT Support

This task provides support for the continued research, development, testing, implementation, and fielding of the CTAS tool suite in a rapid prototyping environment. Activities include: Verification and Validation (V&V) of CTAS releases, release support of all software and associated documentation, data analysis support, demonstration support, software quality assurance, IT support and administrative support.

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Technical Area Mgr:
B. Musaffar

Team:
J. Cheng,
Y. De Rouen,
N. Dominguez,
M. Haney,
J. Hinkey,
V. Kelkar,
M. Ma,
R. Remple,
H. Telc,
Y. Zheng

Airspace Systems Modeling and Analysis

This task supports the Aerospace Operations Modeling Branch in the development of new airspace modeling capabilities and in the analysis of current and future Air Traffic Management (ATM) concepts. This support includes rapid response to the analysis, modeling, and development needs of customers such as the Next Generation Air Transportation System (NGATS) Airspace and Airportal Projects, the Joint Planning and Development Office (JPDO) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The principle focus of this task is to design, develop, and use ATM models for the Airspace Concept Evaluation System (ACES), which emulates the National Airspace System (NAS).

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Technical Area Mgr:
B. Musaffar

Team:
G. Chatterji,
T. Mc Lesky,
K. Palopo,
S. Sahlman,
J. Wong,
Y. Zheng

Air Traffic Management (ATM) Fundamental Research

This task is part of a long-term effort in Air Traffic Management, conducting cutting-edge research on automating portions of the nation’s air transportation system under NASA’s Airspace Systems Program. The UARC team will work closely with NASA researchers, outside researchers, air traffic controllers, air traffic managers, and contractors to conceptualize technologies for the air traffic control system targeted at the year 2025.

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Technical Area Mgr:
B. Musaffar

Team:
S. Karahan,
C. Robelin

FAirportal Research

The Next Generation Air Transportation System (NGATS) is a multi-agency research and development plan for creating the future Air Traffic Management (ATM) system. One of the major areas supported by NASA is Airportal, which is seeking integrated solutions for safe, efficient, and high-capacity terminal and surface operations. Key challenges include surface path optimization, integration of surface planning with arrival/departure management and minimizing the environmental impact of terminal and surface operations.

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Technical Area Mgr:
B. Musaffar

Team:
J. Foster,
L. Tobias

Engineering Support for the Aeromechanics Division

The Rotor Comprehensive Analysis System (RCAS) is a large, multidisciplinary computer software system designed to analyze the performance, stability and control, aeroelastic stability, loads and vibration, aerodynamics, and acoustical characteristics of rotorcraft. This task provides researchers at NASA Ames Research Center with engineering support, including validation and/or engineering analysis using RCAS, and also provides aero-acoustic research and support for experimental aerodynamics research in the Army’s 7- by 10-foot wind tunnel and other facilities.

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Technical Area Mgr:
B. Musaffar

Task Mgr:
K. Cheung

Team:
J. Foster,
B. Sim,
J. Wilson

Flight Control System Software Development

The YH Branch produces software for the design, simulation, integration, and flight testing of flight control systems, particularly those related to rotorcraft. Four main software modules make up this integrated set of tools:

CIFER®, (Comprehensive Identification from FrEquency Responses), a system identification tool based on a comprehensive frequency-response approach.
CONDUIT®, (Control Designer's Unified InTerface), a state-of-the-art flight control design and optimization tool.
RIPTIDE, (Real-time Interactive Prototype Technology Integration Development Environment), a high fidelity desktop simulation tool.
A Data Management System (TRENDS/FIDGET/SMACK)

» More About Flight Control

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Technical Area Mgr:
B. Musaffar

Task Mgr:
K. Cheung

Team:
T. Berger,
M. Berrios,
W. Dai,
J. Foster,
D. Hermstad,
J. Pearson,
R. Remple

Human Systems Software Development

The Human Systems Lab within the YH Branch conducts research into the design and testing of human interface systems, particularly with respect to fixed wing and rotorcraft Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). This integrated suite of simulations addresses the human-machine interface issues of controlling multiple UAVs. Each of these simulations will be enhanced, as will the software needed to integrate and inter-operate the various simulations.

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Technical Area Mgr:
B. Musaffar

Task Mgr:
K. Cheung

Team:
T. Welsh

NTX Research Station

The NASA/FAA North Texas Research Station (NTX) was established to support the evaluation of advanced air traffic management DSTs, such as the Center/TRACON Automation System (CTAS), in an operational air traffic environment. The work at NTX breaks down into three subtasks: air traffic management research; NASA-prototype CTAS daily use and infrastructure development and maintenance. The primary focus of this task is to develop several decision-support tools (DSTs) for air traffic management. These tools evaluate the air traffic situation in real-time to support more efficient management and control with increased safety and reduced workload.

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Technical Area Mgr:
B. Musaffar

Task Mgr:
T. Turton

Team:
J. George,
K. Roach

Traffic Flow Investigation

This task supports research in En Route Decision Support Tools and Traffic Flow Management, pursuing several different approaches. Algorithms and software have been developed to study the impact of weather and congestion on a large system, such as the National Airspace System (NAS). One of the tools developed under the Automation Concepts Branch is the Future Air Traffic Management (ATM) Concepts Evaluation Tool (FACET), which won NASA's 2006 Software of the Year Award.

FACET's innovative architecture provides a flexible and highly adaptable simulation and modeling environment, while at the same time offering the performance and reliability required for development and evaluation of ATM algorithms. The resulting system is highly efficient, portable, and extensible, and FACET has been installed at several AOCs and is being modified for use by the FAA.

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Task Mgr:
A. Bayen

VAMS Chief Blending Architect (CBA) Expertise

The Virtual Airspace Modeling and Simulation (VAMS) project is essential to the development of future synthesized operational concepts for the National Airspace System (NAS). Projects incorporate the evaluation and analysis of individual operational concepts, as well as the synthesized operational concepts, using the Virtual Airspace Simulation Technology (VAST) software tools developed for the VAMS project. The VAST tools include the Airspace Concepts Evaluation System (ACES), a non-real-time national airspace modeling and simulation software tool, and the VAST Real-Time simulation capabilities.

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Technical Area Mgr:
B. Musaffar

Research Areas: