SpaceACME: Advanced Visualization for Space Operations and Spacecraft Maneuvers

While underlying technology in space control systems may be cutting edge, the User Experience (UX) and visual communication capabilities of most tools are antiquated, and rely on operators to manually digest and interpret raw data, then assemble that data from multiple systems into a mental picture that can be communicated to leadership, allies, or field units for decisions/action. This challenge is exacerbated in the increasingly common situations where predicted conjunctions or system issues require operators to maneuver spacecraft.  Each maneuver require operators to first assess situations; create multiple potential evasive maneuver options; quickly evaluate those options and their implications on other risks, system status, and mission priorities; and clearly and quickly communicate the entire situation and recommended scenarios across operation centers and to decision makers. Delays in this process or unintended consequences due to imperfect mental models can have significant consequences, including compromised mission success, missed opportunities, wasted fuel, or orbital shifts that create additional downstream conjunction risks. Rocket Communications (Rocket) has a solution: Space Awareness, Communication, and Maneuver Evaluation, or “Space ACME.” Rocket proposes leveraging their commercial 3D modeling engines and their USSF-sanctioned Astro User Experience Design System (Astro UXDS) to create an integrated visualization system to improve decision making related to spacecraft maneuvers. Rocket’s solution, Space ACME will provide an intuitive and visual system for operators to envision system status, orbits, and predicted events; easily create multiple maneuver options and view/compare them to help decision-makers quickly grasp implications and improve decisions. Visualizing predicted maneuvers along with other RSO orbits and mission needs (i.e. changes in earth field of view) will also lead to better outcomes. Utilizing and augmenting the Astro UXDS standardized visual language/formats will enable commonality and greatly improve communication of state of health/alternatives across operation centers. Advanced data visualization for space operations and near-real time course of action (COA) generation tools were noted as a “Top 20” Short Term Objectives for 2020 in the most recent Annual Report on the Space Command and Control Program (“Space C2”) report dated July 2020. Rocket is uniquely situated to solve this problem, with technical expertise from 25+ years of UX/visualization design experience; space domain expertise as leading UX provider for USSF/USAF; and design expertise as creator/steward of Astro UXDS.