Methods and systems for advanced spaceport information management

• US 7,860,684 B2
• Filed: 09/28/2007
• Issued: 12/28/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/30/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Original Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Inventors: Fussell, Ronald M., Meier, Gary M., Meade, Phillip T., Halpin, Paul C., Blackwell-Thompson, Charlie, Ely, Donald W., Jacobson, Craig A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lau; Tung S
• Application Number:
  US11/864,767
• Publication Number:
  US 20080017759A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,187 Days
• Field of Search: 702/188
• US Class Current: 702/188
• CPC Class Codes: B64G 1/52 Protection, safety or emergency devices; Survival aids
• CPC Class Codes: B64G 5/00 Ground equipment for vehicles, e.g. starting towers, fuelling arrangements B64G3/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/008 on air- or spacecraft, railway rolling stock or sea-going vessels

Abstract

Advanced spaceport information management methods and systems are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes coupling a test system to the payload and transmitting one or more test signals that emulate an anticipated condition from the test system to the payload. One or more responsive signals are received from the payload into the test system and are analyzed to determine whether one or more of the responsive signals comprises an anomalous signal. At least one of the steps of transmitting, receiving, analyzing and determining includes transmitting at least one of the test signals and the responsive signals via a communications link from a payload processing facility to a remotely located facility. In one particular embodiment, the communications link is an Internet link from a payload processing facility to a remotely located facility (e.g. a launch facility, university, etc.).

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a computer-based portable test and verification system, comprising;

a front end to communicate with the payload;

a back end to communicate with the front end and with a payload test team;

a payload data repository coupled to the back end; and

a user interface coupled to the back end,

wherein the payload data repository is coupled to the back end by at least a first communication link from a payload processing facility to a remote facility,

wherein at least one of the front end, the back end, and the data repository provide a notification indicating a completion of one or more predetermined preflight test activities to the user via the user interface.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the computer-based portable test and verification system comprises a system management feature integrated into the back end.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the computer-based portable test and verification system comprises a software wizard which manages a data collection and presentation process for at least one of test configuration requirements, testing event milestones, schedules and reports.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the computer-based portable test and verification system:

transmits one or more signals to a payload under test to emulate conditions that the payload under test may experience during flight operations;

receives one or more responsive signals from the payload under test.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the computer-based portable test and verification system:

determines whether the response represents an anomalous condition; and

in response to a determination that the response represents an anomalous condition, generates a nonconformance report.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein the computer-based portable test and verification system:

determines whether the response represents an anomalous condition; and

in response to a determination that the response represents an anomalous condition, initiates a new test process.

7. The system of claim 2, wherein at least one of the front end, the back end, and the payload data repository store data generated during testing when the first communication link and the second communication link are interrupted, and transmit the stored data via the communication link when the communication link is re-connected.

8. The system of claim 2, further comprising a web interface through which command, control, and monitoring of the system may be accomplished.

9. The system of claim 4 wherein the computer-based portable test and verification system transits one or more signals to a payload from the remote facility using at least one of the first communication link and the second communication link.

10. A computer-based method to test a payload, comprising:

coupling a test system to the payload, wherein the test system comprises;

a front end to communicate with the payload;

a back end to communicate with the front end and with a payload test team;

a payload data repository coupled to the back end; and

a user interface coupled to the back end;

transmitting one or more test signals from the test system to the payload, wherein the test signals cause the test system to emulate an anticipated condition;

receiving one or more responsive signals from the payload in the test system;

analyzing one or more responsive signals;

determining whether one or more of the responsive signals comprises an anomalous signal; and

in response to a determination that the response represents an anomalous condition, generating a nonconformance report.

11. The computer-based method of claim 10, wherein transmitting one or more test signals from the test system to the payload comprises transmitting at least one of the test signals and the responsive signals via an Internet link from a payload processing facility to a remotely located facility.

12. The computer-based method of claim 10, wherein coupling a test system to the payload includes coupling a test system to the payload wherein the test system and the payload are located at different remote facilities.

13. The computer-based method of claim 10, wherein transmitting one or more test signals includes transmitting at least one of a command signal and a test data signal.

14. The computer-based method of claim 10, further comprising identifying the occurrence of an anomalous condition to a system operator via a display.

15. The computer-based method of claim 10, further comprising transmitting the nonconformance report to a remotely located data storage facility.

16. The computer-based method of claim 10, further comprising querying a system operator whether to retest a nonconforming condition.

17. The computer-based method of claim 10, further comprising troubleshooting a nonconforming condition via a communication link between the test system and the payload.

18. The computer-based method of claim 10, wherein transmitting one or more test signals from the test system to the payload comprises transmitting at least one of the test signals and the responsive signals via an Internet link to a remotely located facility.