Use Cases - space-station-os/space_station_os GitHub Wiki

Space Station OS (SSOS) Use Cases

Last updated: 2025-07-21

This document summarizes the main use cases for Space Station OS (SSOS), covering high-level operations and subsystem-specific user interaction modes.

1. System-Level Operations

1.1 SSOS in Space Station Development

  • Integrate and simulate full station systems (e.g. fuel mass, center of mass).
  • Test FDIR (Fault Detection, Isolation, and Recovery) with simulated faults.
  • Connect to real hardware via hardware-in-the-loop setups.
  • Validate interface specs and runtime behavior for visiting vehicles.

1.2 SSOS in Space Station Operations

  • Design and simulate flight timelines.
  • Monitor and command systems through ground interfaces.
  • Handle fault notifications and recovery scenarios.
  • Provide astronauts with onboard tools for anomaly management.

1.3 Visiting Vehicle Integration

  • Use SSOS-defined interfaces for software/hardware validation.
  • Run joint simulations for docking and fuel transfer.

2. Subsystem Interaction Modes

Each subsystem supports multiple interaction modes for different user types: General Users, Developers, Astronauts, and Operators.

2.1 Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS)

Modes:

  • User: Simple GUI to simulate crew needs.
  • Developer: Full access to control parameters and states.
  • Astronaut: Limited interface for anomaly handling (FDIR in development).
  • Operator: Monitor real-time status, configure thresholds.

2.2 Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC)

Overview:

  • Modular tools for simulating spacecraft attitude, control, and orbital behavior.
  • Includes 6-DOF simulation, PID controllers, thrusters, sensor models.
  • Supports inter-subsystem logic (thermal, power, comms).

Modes:

  • User: Launch pre-defined maneuvers (e.g., roll/yaw).
  • Developer (Software/Hardware): Implement control laws, simulate sensors/actuators.
  • Astronaut (Future): Display orientation and handle control anomalies.
  • Operator: Manage orientation/orbit via dashboards and issue commands.

2.3 Electrical Power System (EPS)

  • TODO: Define operation and simulation modes.

2.4 Thermal Control System (TCS)

Overview:

  • Lightweight thermal network solver.
  • Defines modular models to simulate system-wide heat behavior.

Modes:

  • User: Observe heat propagation via simplified preset models.
  • Developer: Customize topology and integrate with other subsystems.
  • Astronaut: Future simple alerts on unsafe temperatures.
  • Operator: Monitor real-time thermal maps, configure thresholds.

2.5 Communication System

  • TODO: Define testing interface and user modes.

2.6 Ground Station Operations

  • TODO: Outline dashboard features and operator roles.

3. Future Extensions

  • Add SpaceStation wide simulation setup for various use cases
  • Extend subsystems with deeper modeling and GUI integration.