Integrated Planning and Scheduling for NASA’s Deep Space Network – from Forecasting to Real-time

Abstract

Over a period of several years, the software systems that plan and schedule the use of NASA's Deep Space Network (DSN) for the projects it serves have been upgraded from a disparate set of decades-old software components, to an integrated suite covering long-range planning and forecasting, all the way to real-time scheduling. The most recent component of this suite is known as LAPS, for Loading Analysis and Planning Software, and is responsible for long-term planning and forecasting, including studies and analysis of new missions, changed mission requirements, downtime, and new or changed antenna capabilities. This paper discusses the architecture of LAPS and its interfaces with other elements of DSN planning and scheduling, its user interfaces, and some lessons learned from development and deployment.

Deep Space Network Scheduling Using Quantum Annealing

“…Then, schedules are improved through an iterative process involving peer-to-peer negotiation between teams. The DSN scheduling process consists a three phases [1], [2], [4], [5]. The Long Range Planning and Forecasting period typically starts four to six months before execution.…”

“…This expansion uses M + 1 binary variables instead of N with M = ⌊log 2 N ⌋, drastically reducing the number of y variables needed. In order to satisfy the user satisfaction metric (7), we implemented the QUBO terms ( 8) and ( 9) using this binary expansion and added those two terms to the total cost function (4). We detail the transformation of DSN information into binary variables y with the pseudo code of Algorithm (2).…”

Complexity-Based Link Assignment for NASA’s Deep Space Network for Follow-the-Sun Operations

“…LCM also provides users with information about scheduled asset downtimes and critical mission events to give context to the schedule. This data is synchronized from a RESTful API web service provided by a separate tool, the Loading Analysis and Planning Software (LAPS) managed out of JPL and used for long range planning [5]. Downtimes are also used in LCM to define intervals for scheduling specific maintenance and engineering activities -another key feature of LCM.…”