Selecting interrelated R & D projects in space technology planning

A decision support model and solution procedure are presented for selecting interrelated R and D projects in space technology planning. Technical and benefit interactions among projects are explicitly considered. The problem addressed is that of selecting among technologically enabling and value enhancing projects. A 0-1 integer programming model is formulated and a solution technique is presented that places technology project sets into two categories: (1) those the decision-maker should consider, and (2) those that are dominated by sets in the first category. Use of the model and solution techniques is demonstrated in the context of a NASA case example pertaining to Earth resources space programs. The efficiency of the model (with the solution technique) in reducing an unmanageably large number of feasible and efficient sets is demonstrated in the example problem.