Space Shuttle

Since the 1970s, Noblis has supported NASA by performing critical system engineering activities on all major space programs within the agency. Our groundbreaking work on computer performance modeling and benchmarking for the Space Shuttle program at the Johnson Space Center combined then state-of-the-art queuing theory and reliability theory into a quantitative analysis structure that could predict Shuttle computer behavior under varying load conditions. At the Kennedy Space Center (KSC), we defined rapid application prototyping techniques for use on engineering support systems for Shuttle processing. Using artificial intelligence techniques and in-situ sensors installed around and near the launch pads at KSC, we also prototyped a system for predicting lightning strikes prior to Shuttle launches.

Space Station

We provided technical support to the Space Station program office in acquisition planning and in the development of engineering tools for tracking requirements and their translation into design, fabrication, and test documentation. Noblis spearheaded the use of metrics and standards in project planning and constantly encouraged the computation of full lifecycle costs for each developmental component of the Station.

Space Telescope

Early work on the Space Telescope ground system design enabled the GSFC Program Office to acquire and test ground system capabilities crucial for successful launch and early orbit operations of this major observatory.

Weather and Land-Imaging Satellite Databases

Since 1995, Noblis has been providing summary reports on all national and international land imaging satellites with resolutions better than or equal to Landsat’s 30 meters. The data in these reports were developed into a prototype of an interactive web-based database. Noblis also incorporated weather satellite data into this database tool. The database provides quick and reliable access to data product information, satellite specifications, mission descriptions, and science parameter metadata for all U.S. Earth-observing satellites by agency. It is used to assess the impact to data production of changes that occur in satellite raw data due to on-board problems or satellite sustaining engineering activities. It is also used to summarize and report status of remote sensing capabilities for each agency.

Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System

Noblis modeled the telecommunications loading and performed other spacecraft and ground systems analyses for the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System at GSFC. We also developed test and evaluation documentation and verification and validation plans. In addition, we participated in pre-launch mission simulations to verify the function and performance of the ground support systems.

Antenna Work

We collaborated with antenna engineers at the Glenn Research Center and GSFC to prototype advanced antenna technologies that would enable high-speed data receipt from multiple satellites using electronically steered phased array or inflatable array antenna technologies.

Direct Broadcast

We also worked with the Direct Readout Lab under the GSFC Computational Information Sciences Technology Office to define and document the NPOESS Preparatory Project (NPP) In-Situ Ground System (NISGS) working in coordination with the NPOESS Integrated Program Office (IPO) Direct Readout Mission. This system will be distributed to various direct broadcast sites around the globe to capture local data readouts in real time, process MODIS data from Terra and Aqua and data from new instruments on NPP at the local sites, and post it for retrieval by other nodes in the direct readout network within minutes. See directreadout.sci.gsfc.nasa.gov for more information.