Overview
NASA Ames, in collaboration with Johnson Space Center (JSC), is building a set of frameworks to enable mission operations software systems to be assembled from flexible collections of user-composable components. Components may be assembled and modified by users, with the level of composability and permissions controlled by policies. By assembling systems from components on a common framework, the traditional “walls” of monolithic applications are eliminated, as are the heterogeneous code bases and functional overlaps that come with traditional software applications. User composition empowers users to make rapid changes to software, within the constraints of organizational policy, without the need for code changes from platform service providers. In turn, platform service providers have the capability to provide certified, yet flexible systems.
The first MCT developers’ workshop was held at JSC April 28-30, 2009, for developers from the Mission Operations Directorate (MOD). The workshop duration was three days, with peak attendance of sixty people from groups such as core trajectory systems, electronic procedures, and training. The purpose of the developers’ workshop was to introduce MOD developers to MCT and to enable them to build MCT "plug-in" components for their groups or disciplines. The workshop included overviews of the MCT architecture and user experience, MCT core components, and plug-ins. Laboratory exercises were devoted to creating and configuring simple plug-ins. MOD developers used MCT to build basic components, with many attendees going well beyond the course materials to build their own components. The workshop was taught and supported by members of the MCT development team. MCT is a key next-generation user tools technology for JSC’s mission control center.
+Collaborative & Assistant Systems
- NASA Official: Dave Korsmeyer
- Curator: ASANI Solutions