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As the US is getting ready for the Next Generation (NextGen) of Air Traffic System, there is a growing concern that the current techniques for verification and validation will not be adequate for the changes to come. The JPDO (in charge of implementing NextGen) has given NASA a mandate to address the problem and it resulted in the formulation of the V&V of Flight-Critical Systems effort. This research effort is divided into four themes: argument-based safety assurance, distributed systems, authority and autonomy, and, software intensive systems. This paper presents an overview of the technologies that will address the problem.

Many changes have been approved for implementation into the International Space Station (ISS) design for Thermal Control (TC) since the System Design Review (SDR)conducted in March 1994. Some of the changes have resulted in changes in the basic content of the ISS TC Subsystem (TCS) while others have addressed more efficient ways of developing the system. The design changes were made to address several distinct facets of the program. Foremost was the intent to control costs of the ISS program. The intent to ensure that the ISS is not completely dependent on any one partner was a major reason for other changes. Refinement of the SDR design and identification and solution of problems with the SDR design resulted in other design changes. While the technology to be used for the ISS TC has remained the same during this period, significant changes have been made to the way the ISS thermal control technology is implemented.

Unlike a terrestrial electric utility which can purchase power from a neighboring utility, the Space Station Freedom (SSF) has strictly limited energy resources; as a result, source control, system monitoring, system protection and load management are essential to the safe and efficient operation of the SSF Electric Power System (EPS). These functions are being evaluated in the DC Power Management and Distribution (PMAD) Testbed which NASA LeRC has developed at the Power System Facility (PSF) located in Cleveland, Ohio. The testbed is an ideal platform to develop, integrate, and verify power system monitoring and control algorithms. State Estimation (SE) is a monitoring tool used extensively in terrestrial electric utilities to ensure safe power system operation.

Large launch vehicle systems are examined in terms of design and operating characteristics and potential applications. A brief history of the development of Saturn V is followed by a discussion of potential cost-saving simplifications. Potentially attractive intermediate payload derivatives of Saturn V and the use of a nuclear third stage are considered along with potential missions. New concepts and technology discussed include low-cost expendable, partially reusable, and fully reusable systems in which the launch vehicle and spacecraft are integral. The need for, and desired characteristics of, a reusable “space shuttle” system are indicated and a brief description of alternate approaches to obtaining this system are presented.