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Completed TRL 7 (started at 4, targeting 7)
This proposal demonstrates how the parallel discrete-event simulation technology of the WarpIV Kernel can be used to effectively solve large-scale numerical simulations related to NASA problems. Four diverse applications will be demonstrated: (1) modeling planetary rings as an N-body gravitational system, (2) modeling space debris and possible collisions with satellites or rocket launches, (3) modeling RF propagation for monitoring weak spacecraft signal strengths in noisy RF environments, and (4) producing non-spherical high-resolution gravity models. The most important of these demonstrations is the planetary ring model that was originally proposed by Dr. Steinman at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in 1995 prior to the launch of the Cassini mission. This proposal shows how N-body gravitational models can achieve orders of magnitude improvements to performance using discrete-event techniques (as opposed to time stepped techniques) while also producing more accurate results.
All high-performance computing science applications. This proposal lists four applications that will be demonstrated: (1) modeling planetary rings as an N-body gravitational system, (2) modeling space debris, (3) modeling RF propagation for monitoring spacecraft signal strengths in noisy RF environments, and (4) producing non-spherical high-resolution gravity models. The discrete-event approach could easily apply to a variety of CFD applications.
The large-scale numerical simulation capabilities that will be demonstrated in this effort naturally extend to all HPC simulation applications. In particular, this effort demonstrates how discrete-event approach (vs. time stepping) not only facilitates orders of magnitude faster executions, but also produces more accurate results.
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This is a mature technology (TRL 7) — the realistic path in is usually NASA's Technology Transfer Program: licensing an existing NASA patent, or a Space Act Agreement to use NASA facilities/expertise directly. NASA also runs a startup licensing program with no upfront fee for companies formed to commercialize a specific NASA technology.
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