Virtual mission operation framework

The virtual mission operation framework (VMOF) is one of the project lifecycle engineering process improvement efforts initiated by the Institutional Technology Infrastructure program at JPL. The VMOF is composed of three frameworks: a model integration framework, a simulation framework, and a visualization framework. The model integration framework interfaces with spacecraft system design, mission design, and structure design. The simulation framework interfaces with the operation scenario design, environmental phenomena science, and science payload system design. The visualization framework interfaces with the flight system testbed, the ground system, and the science analysis. The three frameworks of the VMOF collaborate to create a comprehensive virtual mission operation that enables a "validation-in-the-loop" system design process and lifecycle-continuous science-return validation. This paper discusses the technical approaches for each framework implementation, challenges and approaches involved in streamlining mission information access, and on-going activities toward enabling model-based engineering design in a collaborative distributed environment.