Starsim: An Object-Oriented Simulation Model Of Space Shuttle Ground Processing Activities

STARSIM, an acronym for Space Transportation Activities and Resources Simulation, is an object-oriented, menu-driven, user-friendly, decision support system for simulating and managing space-shuttle ground processing activities. The purpose of STARSIM is to permit trade-off studies to be performed for any set of input parameters (e.g., determining the effects on launches per year of adding a bay in the orbiter processing facility). Output is displayed both numerically (for global statistical information, including life-cycle cost estimates) and in Gantt chart form (for visualizing when and where each orbiter vehicle experiences waiting, processing, blocking and maintenance periods, as well as the reasons for blocking)