Summary
The DYNAMIC GROUND SEGMENT MODEL (DGSM) is a custom DES model serving as a validation tool to establish that a planned Delta IV 20 year launch would meet minimum contract performance standards of 80% of launches within acceptable limits, including periodic unscheduled launches.
Background
During the final process for the selection of the company that would be contracted by the Department of Defense to launch a new generation of space vehicles, it was decided by one of the companies, to construct a high fidelity computer model to simulate all of the tasks that would be required in the launch vehicle ground assembly, pad erection and launch sequence. Each individual task would be comprised of the complete set of steps required for completion and the tasks would be performed in exactly the same order as would be followed for an actual launch. The objective was to provide validating proof that the planned tasks and execution sequence would ensure that at least a specified percent of all launches would fall within the specified launch window.
Model Output & Benefits
DGSM provided comprehensive custom report production with output direct to Excel report worksheets. Reports included Work Bay trace files of each task completion, regular and overtime labor reports by labor category and a comprehensive launch report showing the scheduled and actual launch date/time for each scheduled launch, including random extra launches.
Since the model design and layout permitted direct correlation and validation with actual launch sequence documentation, its performance and output established a reliable basis for demonstrating that the planned ground assembly and processing sequence would not only meet minimum contract performance requirements, but would in fact exceed minimum performance providing a a comfortable margin of safety to absorb unplanned launch schedule anomalies.
Strategic Assessment
The following provides links to articles within this document that address strategic assessment issues related to this case study:
- Long term resource requirements
Delta IV rockets are shipped to Cape Canaveral in parts and are assembled near the launch site. Boeing used this model to assess the tradeoff between the number of specialized fixtures required for assembly and the throughput of assembled rockets.