Mission lifecycle modeling and simulation

Mission synthesis and simulation research at JPL addresses mission model taxonomy, progressive lifecycle representation, model-based design, and simulation-in-the-loop design. The Virtual Mission (VM) project integrates the research activities and implements a virtual mission lifecycle to enable a globally optimal mission. The VM is composed of three interacting modeling and simulation layers: a mission model architecture layer, a mission system simulation layer, and a mission operation simulation layer. The three layers collectively simulate the development, integration, and operation phases of the mission cycle for comprehensive validation of mission design products. The VM was applied for the MICAS (Miniature Imaging Camera And Spectrometer) payload system of the Deep Space 1 mission (DS1) to validate the integrated system´s performance to ensure the desired science return. The VM is being applied to design and to validate calibration scenarios and science observation scenarios for the extended science mission of the DS1 project