Paper Session II-B - Space Shuttle Processing: A Case Study in Artificial Intelligence

Abstract

Scheduling the ground processing functions of the Space Shuttle is an inherently difficult task. Most automated scheduling tools are oriented towards manufacturing problems which are very different from shuttle processing. The distinguishing factors between shuttle processing and manufacturing are: 1. Shuttle processing requires much unplanned to be added to the schedule while manufacturing process plans are typically determined well in advance. 2. Manufacturing activities are significantly more predictable than shuttle repair activities in terms of resource needs and durations. 3. Shuttle processing is fundamentally more complex than typical manufacturing concerns. 4. Shuttle processing requires reasoning about orbiter configuration as well as tasks and resources. To address these discrepancies, we have developed a new scheduling system that adopts Artificial Intelligence techniques. This paper describes the unique capabilities of this scheduling system as well as some preliminary results of the system using the shuttle data