Mixed Media-based Information Software for Space Systems Technology Development

The specific technical problem addressed is the development and implementation of a flexible, user-friendly, platform-independent digital communication capability that will lower the cost of space systems by providing real-time voice, video, graphics and "white-board" connectivity for: rapid resolution of issues; facilitation of configuration management; archiving and retrieval of information; and involvement of geographically dispersed personnel such as laboratory staff, program managers, headquarters personnel and project sponsors. The significance of the problem addressed is the time- and cost-savings derived from real-time interactions between personnel at different locations within a building, within a laboratory, a city, a state, a nation, or globally situated. The quest to reduce the high cost of space system development can be achieved by reducing the time required to address issues whether the issues be technical or progrmmatic. A desktop capability to simultaneously communicate by voice, video, and "white-board" and allow data exchanges will enable geographically distributed research scientists and development engineers to have synergistic interactions accelerating the technology development process and reducing the cost associated with any hiatus.