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May 2, 2003
National Space Development Agency of Japan

                  NASDA REPORT NO.130

Part 2 of 3

Realistic Visual Representation of Rocket and Satellite Data 

The System Analysis and Software Research Center has been working on
data visualizations capable of providing an intelligible presentation
of whether a rocket or a satellite is operating normally. Indeed,
even experts have difficulty in interpreting graphic data of a
rocket's attitude (Fig. 1) to determine the present flight path and
attitude of the rocket accurately. Accordingly, a visualization of
the attitude data, as shown in Fig. 2, is essential to achieve the
best possible understanding of ongoing situations. Visualization
techniques enable us to create three-dimensional (3D) images with
more realistic visual representation compared to conventional
two-dimensional (2D) data. The 3D images give us - both the
professional and the nonprofessional - an intuitive perception of any
disturbance in the attitude of a rocket.

Similarly, research has been conducted on the visualization of data
transmitted from a satellite. We can instantaneously perceive the
present situation based on data visualizations, which is particularly
useful when performing major attitude maneuver and confirming the
antenna direction. 


Development Technology for Highly Reliable Software

With new video game hardware on the market, computer animation has
become higher in resolution and more realistic, while game play is
more complicated. The advancements in video game design and
programming are a direct result of developments in software
technology, as well as the improved performance of video game
hardware. 

A similar trend is found in the design and development of rockets and
spacecraft. With the increased complexity of space software,
reliability and safety are more critical to the successful operation
of space system. In short, malfunctions due to software problems must
not occur by any means. 

In order to eliminate potential software glitches, it goes without
saying that the completed product must be tested thoroughly. However,
developers inevitably overlook deficiencies in their own products
despite repeated and thorough checking. Accordingly, we hire a third
party to check the product at a designated stage (see Fig. 3). 

Studies must be conducted to determine how to implement efficient
checking of all elements involved in the manufacturing of safe and
highly reliable software. The checking techniques themselves must
also be developed. Moreover, these requirements hold true for ground
facilities related to the operation of rockets and satellites. 

In order to deal with these matters, the System Analysis and Software
Research Center has been researching techniques to develop safe and
reliable software. 


Research on New Spacecraft Design Techniques

For example, think of the case that one product is created through
many workers. If they work separately at different places and later
integrates their portions of the product with those of the other
workers. As is often the case, they discover that their product is
not compatible with the other products. In this case, the workers
must modify their original product one another, which reduces working
efficiency. While not erroneous, this system is not favorable since
it is impossible to proceed to the next stage before completing the
checking procedure.

So, could the manufacturing system be improved by working
collaboratively in one plance to faciliate discussion? This approach
may yield more productivity and efficiency (see photo). It is,
however, not always possible for all concerned persons to gather at
the same location, such as a laboratory. Some product creation
requires information exchange with not only colleagues, but also
people living far away, such as overseas researchers. In the latter
situation, it is not efficient if we take the trouble to visit each
individual to exchange data on spacecraft design. 

However, the recent spread of the Internet is remarkable. Use of this
modern communication tool will help improve efficiency in the
manufacturing process because we can access information
instantaneously, regardless of physical distances. The Research
Center also has been conducting research on constructing computer
networks to improve efficiency in communicating with people living in
remote areas in order to faciliate information exchange. 

Each application program assumes responsibility for design and
analysis of spacecraft design through the exchange of design data
required for such analysis. Thus, smooth data exchange is critical to
spacecraft design. Accordingly, the Research Center has been
researching efficient ways of combining analytical results in order
to shorten the development period for space systems. 



Let Us Talk Space Challengers 

Interview with Composer and synthesizer player Mr. Kim Shin

Enveloping the Earth in Music

Even astronauts are allowed to take along a few personal belongings
when they blast off into space.  What they take depends on the
individual, of course.

Astronaut Koichi Wakata, for example, took with him a single CD when
he flew into space on the space shuttle.

The artist of that CD is Mr. Kim Shin, and in this issue we asked Mr.
Kim about himself and his music, as well as his involvement in space. 

Mr. Kim said "I went to see the launch of the Space Shuttle on which
Astronaut Mukai boarded.It was really fantastic. Rather than hearing
sound, I felt like air vibrations coming near to me." 

Interviewer: How did you get involved in space?

Kim: When I first started performing in concerts, I use to say, "I
want to completely envelop the earth in music." Since I play a
synthesizer, I cannot make a sound without electricity, and there are
many places in the world where electricity is not available. But I
thought that if I could reach about 4 billion people with my music, I
would be making a difference. My producer, Yamamoto, said let's make
that happen and set up a concert schedule for me. During this time,
she hit upon an outrageous idea: if we could put your music on a
rocket that encircled the earth, she said, in a sense wouldn't we be
bringing your music to all living things on Earth? This message must
have gotten through to me, because one year later I was at the
Kennedy Space Center in Florida watching Astronaut Chiaki Mukai being
launched on her second flight into space. This was unbelievable. I
had never expected to be watching a rocket launch. 

 - Continued -

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