F6Mission.owl
type: Ontology
description: Ontology of general terms needed to design and specify a space based missions. Ontology Created for the F6 DARPA program by the Team "F6: A Design Tool for Stably Adaptable Systems." PI - Pamela E. Clark (Catholic University of America) This program involves designing missions using clusters of spacecraft modules
rights: Copyright (c) 2011, Catholic University of America. Developed with the sponsorship of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). Permission is hereby granted, free of charge, to any person obtaining a copy of this data, including any software or models in source or binary form, specifications, algorithms, and documentation (collectively "the Data"), to deal in the Data without restriction, including without limitation the rights to use, copy, modify, merge, publish, distribute, sublicense, and/or sell copies of the Data, and to permit persons to whom the Data is furnished to do so, subject to the following conditions: The above copyright notice and this permission notice shall be included in all copies or substantial portions of the Data. THE DATA IS PROVIDED "AS IS", WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND NONINFRINGEMENT. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE AUTHORS, SPONSORS, DEVELOPERS, CONTRIBUTORS, OR COPYRIGHT HOLDERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY CLAIM, DAMAGES OR OTHER LIABILITY, WHETHER IN AN ACTION OF CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE, ARISING FROM, OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE DATA OR THE USE OR OTHER DEALINGS IN THE DATA.
creator: Ed Shaya (U. of Maryland)
date: November 10, 2011
imports: F6 root.owl

hasRationale
type: ObjectProperty
comment: An explanation of why a requirement exists and is the value given.
range: Rationale
domain: Class
  union of: Requirement
  union of: Risk

dailyAverageDataRate
type: DatatypeProperty
comment: Mbps
domain: DataRate
range: float

hasDiagram
type: DatatypeProperty
comment: The property is meant to hold the URI to the diagram for any class.
domain: InstrumentConfiguration
range: anyURI

hasOperatingDutyCycle
type: DatatypeProperty
comment: Operating Duty Cycle in %
domain: PowerConsumption
range: float

hasPeakPower
type: DatatypeProperty
comment: Peak Power in Watts
domain: PowerConsumption
range: float

hasSafeholdPower
type: DatatypeProperty
comment: Safehold Power in Watts
domain: PowerConsumption
range: float

hasStandbyPower
type: DatatypeProperty
comment: Power Consumption Specification or Requirment on Standby Power in Watts
domain: PowerConsumption
range: float

maximumDataRate
type: DatatypeProperty
comment: Mbps
domain: DataRate
range: float

orbitalAverageDataRate
type: DatatypeProperty
comment: Mpbs
domain: DataRate
range: float

A-Mode
type: Class
subclass of: CommunicationModes
comment: This mode requires a 2 meter SSB/CW transmitter and a 10 meter SSB/CW receiver and supports CW and voice.

Actuator
type: Class
subclass of: Device
comment: WordNet - a mechanism that puts something into automatic action

Aircraft
type: Class
subclass of: Vehicle
comment: Vehicles that fly through air

Artificial satellite
type: Class
subclass of: Satellite

Assumption
type: Class
subclass of: MissionConcept
comment: WordNet#1 - a statement that is assumed to be true and from which a conclusion can be drawn

Author
type: Class
subclass of: Creator
comment: One who writes a publication, ie something published.

B-Mode
type: Class
subclass of: CommunicationModes
comment: This mode requires a 70 cm SSB/CW transmitter and a 2 meter SSB/CW receiver and supports CW and voice. Some satellites also support RTTY and SSTV in this mode.

Bandwidth
type: Class
subclass of: Property
comment: The range of frequencies of a communication band or sensor plus filter combination. Note, this is not WordNet#1 which is closer to DataRate.

Beacon
type: Class
subclass of: Retransmissions
comment: Most satellites have a fixed Morse beacon at the lower end of the satellites band-pass transponder. This is useful to detect when the satellite has crossed the horizon and is in range for operation. It can also be used to determine doppler shifts.

CDHSystem
type: Class
subclass of: Subsystem
subclass of: MissionResource
comment: Commanding and Data Handling Subsystem on board a spacecraft.

Calibration
type: Class
subclass of: Analysis
comment: WordNet - the act of checking or adjusting (by comparison with a standard) the accuracy of a measuring instrument

Campaign
type: Class
subclass of: SpaceMission
comment: A SpaceMission that makes use of fractionated architecture in which two or more spacecraft are in use at a time.

CaseStudy
type: Class
subclass of: Analysis
comment: WordNet#1 - The study of an example to determine what factors led to its success or failure.

ChemicalAnalysis
type: Class
subclass of: Analysis
comment: (noun from WordNet verb) - An analysis of a substance to find out what it is composed of by decomposing it into its constituent elements

Cluster
type: Class
subclass of: MissionResource
comment: Two or more spacecraft modules affiliated to achieve a mission's core objectives.

CoInvestigator
type: Class
subclass of: Investigator
comment: A scientist but not the lead for a particular scientific problem, project, or mission

Communication
type: Class
subclass of: Activity
comment: WordNet#1 - the activity of communicating; the activity of conveying information

CommunicationChannel
type: Class
subclass of: Communications
comment: WordNet#1 - channel, communication channel, line -- a means of communication or access

Communications
type: Class
subclass of: Service
comment: the ways of sending information through technology (Source Merriam-Webster 3a adjusted to allow for machine communication).

ComputerNetwork
type: Class
subclass of: Network
comment: a collection of computers and devices interconnected by communications channels that facilitate communications and allows sharing of resources and information among interconnected devices (Source - Wikipedia)

Cost-BenefitAnalysis
type: Class
subclass of: Analysis
comment: WordNet - an analysis of the cost effectiveness of different alternatives in order to see whether the benefits outweigh the costs

CostAnalysis
type: Class
subclass of: Analysis
comment: WordNet - breaking down the costs of some operation and reporting on each factor separately

CoverageGap
type: Class
subclass of: Property
comment: Gaps in time when a spacecraft cannot communicate either directly or indirectly with the ground.

CriticalAction
type: Class
subclass of: Activity
comment: Any operator action that, if performed in error during operations with zero or one system failures, would result in a catastrophic event or an abort. (Source - NPR 8705.2)

CriticalDesignReview
type: Class
subclass of: Activity
comment: The CDR demonstrates that the maturity of the design is appropriate to support proceeding with full-scale fabrication, assembly, integration, and test. CDR determines that the technical effort is on track to complete the flight and ground system development and mission operations, meeting mission performance requirements within the identified cost and schedule constraints. For large complex configuration items, the CDR may be a progressive or incremental review, culminating in a system level CDR which essentially reviews the completeness of preceeding CDRs and ensures adequate interfaces between the configuration items.

CriticalFunction
type: Class
subclass of: Function
comment: Mission capabilities or system functions that, if lost, would result in a catastrophic event or an abort.

CriticalSoftware
type: Class
subclass of: Software
comment: Any software component whose behavior or performance could lead to a catastrophic event or abort. This includes the flight software as well as ground-control software.

Cryocooler
type: Class
subclass of: CryogenicSystem
comment: Cryogenic mechanical refrigerators. Practical refrigeration cycles for spaceborne use include the Stirling, reverse-Brayton, closed Joule-Thompson (JT), the pulse tube, and the chemisorption compression/JT expansion systems under development by JPL and others.

CryogenicRadiator
type: Class
subclass of: CryogenicSystem
comment: emperatures as low as about 60 K can be achieved by a suitably designed radiant cooler radiating into space. The low effective sink temperature of deep space provides an ideal environment for the passive radiant cooling of IR detectors and related devices to the temperatures indicated. (Source - Spacecraft Thermal Control Handbook by Martin Donabedian, http://www.aero.org/publications/donabedian/donabedian-1.html)

DataCapture
type: Class
subclass of: Observation
comment: The process of automatic collection of scientific data.

DataProduct
type: Class
subclass of: Data
comment: Mission data that has been processed and published from the mission's data pipeline.

Downlink
type: Class
subclass of: Communication
comment: The radio communication link from a satellite to a ground station

DualMode
type: Class
subclass of: CommunicationModes
comment: A particular way of communicating

Engine
type: Class
subclass of: Device
subclass of: PropulsionSystem
comment: a machine for converting any of various forms of energy into mechanical force and motion

Ephemeris
type: Class
subclass of: Data
comment: a table of values that gives the positions of objects in the sky at a given time or times.

Failure
type: Class
subclass of: Health
comment: Inability of a system, subsystem, component, or part to perform its required function within specified limits (Source - NPR 8715.3).

Fault
type: Class
subclass of: Health
comment: An undesired system state and/or the immediate cause of failure (e.g., maladjustment, misalignment, defect, or other). The definition of the term "fault" envelopes the word "failure," since faults include other undesired events such as software anomalies and operational anomalies (Source - MIL-STD-721C). Faults at a lower level could lead to failures at the higher subsystem or system level.

FaultTolerance
type: Class
subclass of: Reliability
comment: The ability to sustain a certain number of failures and still retain capability.

FieldOfView
type: Class
subclass of: SensorSpecification
comment: WordNet - visual field, field of vision, field of regard -- (all of the points of the physical environment that can be perceived by a stable eye at a given moment)

FlightInstrument
type: Class
subclass of: Instrumentation
comment: the devices used to measure the speed, altitude, and pertinent flight angles of various kinds of aircraft

Function
type: Class
subclass of: Capability
comment: A Function is an Operation or Activity performed by a Component or Space Mission

FunctionalRequirement
type: Class
subclass of: Requirement
comment: A requirement on a Function of a component or the SpaceSystem

Geostationary satellite
type: Class
subclass of: Artificial satellite

GroundStation
type: Class
subclass of: MissionResource
comment: An earth station, ground station, or earth terminal is a terrestrial terminal station designed for telecommunication with spacecraft. They are located either on the surface of the Earth, or within the Earth's atmosphere. (Source - Wikipedia)

Hazard
type: Class
subclass of: Property
comment: A state or a set of conditions, internal or external to a system, that has the potential to cause harm (Source - NPR 8715.3).

HazardAnalysis
type: Class
subclass of: Analysis
comment: The process of identifying hazards and their potential causal factors.

HumanError
type: Class
subclass of: HumanCausedEvent
comment: Either an action that is not intended or desired by the human or a failure on the part of the human to perform a prescribed action within specified limits of accuracy, sequence, or time that fails to produce the expected result and has led or has the potential to lead to an unwanted consequence.

HumanErrorAnalysis
type: Class
subclass of: Analysis
comment: A systematic approach to evaluate human actions, identify potential human error, model human performance, and qualitatively characterize how human error affects a system. HEA provides an evaluation of human actions and error in an effort to generate system improvements that reduce the frequency of error and minimize the negative effects on the system. HEA is the first step in Human Risk Assessment and is often referred to as qualitative Human Risk Assessment (Source - NPR 8705.2).

Interface
type: Class
subclass of: ManMadeThing
comment: An Interface represents a set of mechanical, electrical, signal, or other properties that describe some aspect of a Component ’s connection to or interaction with another Component.

InterfaceRequirement
type: Class
subclass of: Requirement
comment: A requirement on a component's interface.

Investigator
type: Class
subclass of: Agent
comment: A scientist for a particular scientific problem/mission

JA-Mode
type: Class
subclass of: CommunicationModes
comment: This mode stands for J Analog and requires a 2 meter SSB/CW transmitter and a 70 cm SSB/CW receiver and supports CW, voice.

JD-Mode
type: Class
subclass of: CommunicationModes
comment: This mode stands for J Digital and requires a 2 meter FM transmitter and a 70 cm SSB/CW receiver and supports packet.

JetEngine
type: Class
subclass of: Engine
comment: a reaction engine that discharges a fast moving jet of heated air to generate thrust by jet propulsion and in accordance with Newton's laws of motion. This broad definition of jet engines includes turbojets, turbofans, rockets, ramjets, pulse jets.

K-Mode
type: Class
subclass of: CommunicationModes
comment: This mode requires a 15 meter SSB/CW transmitter and a 10 meter SSB/CW receiver and supports CW and voice. This mode is unique in that it can be done with a simple HF rig.

Ka-band
type: Class
subclass of: MicrowaveBand
comment: The Ka band (Pronounced: "Kay-A Band") covers the frequencies of 26.5–40 GHz.[1] The Ka band is part of the K band of the microwave band of the electromagnetic spectrum. This symbol refers to "K-above" — in other words, the band directly above the K-band. The 30/20 GHz band is used in communications satellites, uplink in either the 27.5 GHz and 31 GHz bands,[2] and high-resolution, close-range targeting radars aboard military airplanes. Some frequencies in this radio band are used for vehicle speed detection by law enforcement.[3] Kepler Mission uses this frequency range to downlink the scientific data collected by the space telescope. The designation "Ka-band" is from Kurz-above, which stems from the German word "kurz" meaning short. (Source - Wikipedia)

Ku-band
type: Class
subclass of: MicrowaveBand
comment: The Ku band (English pronunciation: /ˌkeɪˈjuː/) is a portion of the electromagnetic spectrum in the microwave range of frequencies. This symbol refers to "K-under" (originally German: Kurz-unten)—in other words, the band directly below the K-band. In radar applications, it ranges from 10.95-14.5 GHz according to the formal definition of radar frequency band nomenclature in IEEE Standard 521-2002. (Source - Wikipedia)

LaboratoryEquipment
type: Class
subclass of: Equipment
comment: the tools used in a scientific laboratory, often electronic in nature

LaunchSite
type: Class
subclass of: MissionResource
comment: Facility where rockets or spacecraft lift off. Syn. - spaceport, launch pad. Typically include a pad, tower and umbilical structure. The umbilical structure has propellant loading, gas, power and communication lins to the launching vehicle. (Source - Wikipedia).

LifeCycle
type: Class
subclass of: MissionSchedule
comment: The totality of a program or project extending from formulation through implementation encompassing the elements of design, development, verification, production, operation, maintenance, support and disposal. (Source - NPR 8705.2)

Manager
type: Class
subclass of: Agent
comment: One who manages one or more worker.

Maneuver
type: Class
subclass of: Activity
comment: The act of changing direction or speed of a whole entity or its orientation.

Manufacturer
type: Class
subclass of: Agent
comment: Company that manufactures goods.

Message
type: Class
subclass of: Telemetry
comment: A stream of telemetry with identifying header and data for a set of parameters following a predisignated structure.

MicrowaveBand
type: Class
subclass of: CommunicationChannel
comment: Frequency bands in the Microwave spectral region assigned to carry communication signals.

MissionConcept
type: Class
subclass of: Concept
comment: WordNet n.#1 - Conception, an abstract or general idea inferred or derived from specific instances.

Module
type: Class
subclass of: Spacecraft
comment: A Spacecraft that is affiliated with a Cluster (fractionated architecture).

MonolithicSpacecraft
type: Class
subclass of: Spacecraft
comment: a spacecraft that can perform the mission's core functions without dependence on other spacecraft.

Observation
type: Class
subclass of: Activity
comment: WordNet#1 - the act of making and recording a measurement

OnboardStorage
type: Class
subclass of: DataStorage
comment: Data storage on board of a vehicle.

OrbitManeuver
type: Class
subclass of: Maneuver
comment: The act of changing the a satellites orbit (usually by using thrusters) to do more than just change orientation..

Override
type: Class
subclass of: Activity
comment: To take precedence over system control functions. (Source NPR 8705.2)

Payload
type: Class
subclass of: Subsystem
subclass of: MissionResource
comment: WordNet#2 - cargo, lading, freight, load, loading, payload, shipment, consignment -- (goods carried by a vehicle)

PhaseA
type: Class
subclass of: PreLaunch
comment: When the Project creates a preliminary design and project plan as a proof of concept specifying what to build, when to launch, the course the spacecraft is to take, what is to be done during cruise, when the spacecraft will reach the target, and what operations will be carried out. The preliminary plan also addresses build-versus-buy decisions, what spacecraft instruments are needed, where system tests will be performed, who performs mission operations, what ground data system capabilities are required, and who the experimenters are. Generally speaking, publication of the preliminary plan with costing data marks the completion of Phase A: Preliminary Analysis. (Source - http://www2.jpl.nasa.gov/basics/bsf7-1.php)

PhaseB
type: Class
subclass of: PreLaunch
comment: The definition phase converts the preliminary plan into a baseline technical solution. Requirements are defined, schedules are determined, and specifications are prepared to initiate system design and development. Major reviews commonly conducted as part of the definition phase are: System Requirements Review, System Design Review, and Non-Advocate Review. The proposed experiments are divided into two classes based on facilities and experimenters. The facilities form teams around a designated set of hardware. Facilities are selected based on existing resources and past performance (Source - http://www2.jpl.nasa.gov/basics/bsf7-1.php )

PhaseCD
type: Class
subclass of: PreLaunch
comment: During the design and development phase, schedules are negotiated, and the space flight system is designed and developed. The phase begins with building and integrating subsystems and experiments into a single spacecraft. In a process called ATLO (Assembly, Test, and Launch Operations) the spacecraft is assembled integrated, tested, launched, deployed, and verified. Prior to launch, though, the complete spacecraft is Galileo in test tested together in a simulated space environment. (Source - http://www2.jpl.nasa.gov/basics/bsf7-2.php)

PhaseE
type: Class
subclass of: PostLaunch
comment: Operations phase E is also called MO&DA for Mission Operations and Data Analysis. It includes flying the spacecraft and obtaining science data for which the mission was designed. (Source - http://www2.jpl.nasa.gov/basics/bsf7-2.php)

PhaseF
type: Class
subclass of: PostLaunch
comment: This is an optional phase to cover the time when the spacecraft is no longer operating, but the science teams are still analysing the mission data.

PowerGenerator
type: Class
subclass of: Device
comment: WordNet#2 - engine that converts mechanical energy into electrical energy by electromagnetic induction

Pre-PhaseA
type: Class
subclass of: PreLaunch
comment: Period when there are conceptual studies made of a mission.

PrincipalInvestigator
type: Class
subclass of: Investigator
comment: The lead scientist for a particular scientific problem, project, or mission

ProjectManager
type: Class
subclass of: Manager
comment: The manager who has the responsibility of the planning, execution, and/or closing of a particular project or an aspect (software, architecture, construction, etc) of a project.

Propeller
type: Class
subclass of: Engine
comment: engine that converts rotary motion from piston engines or turboprops to provide propulsive force.

Rationale
type: Class
subclass of: MissionConcept
comment: An explanation of why a given statement is true or a requirement is needed.

RawData
type: Class
subclass of: Telemetry
comment: unprocessed data, refers to a collection of numbers, characters, images or other outputs from devices that collect information to convert physical quantities into symbols. (Source - Wikipedia)

Reliability
type: Class
subclass of: Specification
comment: The probability that a system of hardware, software, and human elements will function as intended over a specified period of time under specified environmental conditions. (Source NPR 8705.2)

Repeater
type: Class
subclass of: Retransmissions
comment: This closely resembles a land-based repeater. It listens for signals on one frequency and retransmits it on another frequency. All satellite repeaters (and transponders) are full duplex, meaning you can (and should) listen to you signal on the downlink (with headphones) while you are transmitting.

Requirement
type: Class
subclass of: Specification
comment: A minimial or maximal value of a specification deemed necessary for the success of a mission.

Restructuring
type: Class
subclass of: ProductDevelopment
comment: (Noun from verb restructure WordNet) - a reconstruction that provides with a new structure;

Risk
type: Class
subclass of: Specification
comment: The combination of (1) the probability (qualitative or quantitative) including associated uncertainty that the space system will experience an undesired event (or sequences of events) such as internal system or component failure or an external event and (2) the magnitude of the consequences (personnel, public, mission impacts) and associated uncertainties given that the undesired event(s) occur(s). (NPR 8705.2)

RiskAssessment
type: Class
subclass of: Analysis
comment: : An evaluation of a risk item that determines (1) what can go wrong, (2) how likely is it to occur, and (3) what the consequences are. (Source - NPR 8705.2)

Rocket
type: Class
subclass of: Vehicle
comment: Vehicle that can operate in space.

RocketEngine
type: Class
subclass of: Engine
comment: In a rocket engine , fuel and a source of oxygen, called an oxidizer, are mixed and exploded in a combustion chamber. The combustion produces hot exhaust which is passed through a nozzle to accelerate the flow and produce thrust. It differs from a jet engine in that it does not use air as the working fluid, instead it uses the hot combustion exhaust gases. Therefore it can operate in space.

S-Mode
type: Class
subclass of: CommunicationModes
comment: This mode requires a 70 cm SSB/CW transmitter and a 2.4 GHz SSB/CW receiver and supports CW and voice. Many people use a 2.4 GHz to 2 meter converter with a 2 meter SSB/CW receiver instead of buying a 2.4 GHz SSB/CW receiver.

S-band
type: Class
subclass of: MicrowaveBand
comment: The S band is defined by an IEEE standard for radio waves with frequencies that range from 2 to 4 GHz, crossing the conventional boundary between UHF and SHF at 3.0 GHz. It is part of the microwave band of the electromagnetic spectrum. The S band is used by weather radar, surface ship radar, and some communications satellites, especially those used by NASA to communicate with the Space Shuttle and the International Space Station. The 10-cm radar short-band ranges roughly from 1.55 to 5.2 GHz. (Source - Wikipedia)

Satellite
type: Class
subclass of: Spacecraft

ScienceManager
type: Class
subclass of: Manager
comment: Manager responsible for the aspects of design, construction, and flight operations of mission and its resources that affect its ability to successfully cary out scientific goals, including the set of in-flight science projects

Ship
type: Class
subclass of: Vehicle
comment: Vehicle that travels on the surface of water.

SpaceMission
type: Class
subclass of: MissionResource
comment: A flight operation of one or more spacecraft in the performance of a mission or set of goals.

SpaceSystem
type: Class
subclass of: ManMadeThing
comment: The collection of all space-based and ground-based systems (encompassing hardware and software) used to conduct space missions or support activity in space. (Source - NPR 8705.2)

Spacecraft
type: Class
subclass of: MissionResource
comment: A spacecraft or spaceship is a craft or machine designed for spaceflight, ie travel into and through outer space.

SpacecraftBus
type: Class
subclass of: MissionResource
comment: A satellite bus or spacecraft bus is the general model on which multiple-production satellite spacecraft are often based. The bus is the infrastructure of a spacecraft, usually providing locations for the payload (typically space experiments or instruments). Bus-derived satellites are usually customised to customer requirements, for example with specialised sensors or transponders, in order to achieve a specific mission (Source - Wikipedia)

Specification
type: Class
subclass of: MissionConcept
comment: One of the set of descriptions (usually quantitative) of a space mission or craft, usually relevant to the success of the mission.

StationCoverage
type: Class
subclass of: Property
comment: the geographic area where the station can communicate. For space systems it is the 3-dimensional region around the station that is reachable.

Stored-CryogenSystem
type: Class
subclass of: CryogenicSystem
comment: expendable-coolant systems use either cryogenic liquids in the subcritical or supercritical state, cryogenic solids, or high-pressure gas combined with a Joule-Thomson (JT) expansion valve system to provide cooling of spacecraft components. These technologies can provide cooling to temperatures ranging from near absolute zero to more than 300 K. (Source - Spacecraft Thermal Control Handbook by Martin Donabedian, http://www.aero.org/publications/donabedian/donabedian-1.html)
comment: temperatures as low as about 60 K can be achieved by a suitably designed radiant cooler radiating into space. The low effective sink temperature of deep space provides an ideal environment for the passive radiant cooling of IR detectors and related devices to the temperatures indicated.

SystemAnalysis
type: Class
subclass of: Analysis
comment: WordNet - analysis of all aspects of a project along with ways to collect information about the operation of its parts

T-Mode
type: Class
subclass of: CommunicationModes
comment: This mode requires a 15 meter SSB/CW transmitter and a 2 meter SSB/CW receiver and supports CW and voice.

TechnicalAuthority
type: Class
subclass of: Manager
comment: The individual who specifically maintains technical responsibility over establishment of, changes to, and waivers of requirements in a designated area, such as Engineering or Safety and Mission Assurance.

TelecommunicationsNetwork
type: Class
subclass of: Network
comment: A telecommunications network is a collection of terminals, links and nodes which connect together to enable telecommunication between users of the terminals.

Telemetry
type: Class
subclass of: Data
comment: Data transmitted by telemetry, ie, transmitted over remote wireless channels.

TestFlight
type: Class
subclass of: Test
comment: A flight or mission dedicated primarily to test objectives. Flight tests can include scaled test articles, uncrewed flights, and crewed flights. (Source - NPR 8705.2)

TradeStudy
type: Class
subclass of: Analysis
comment: Wikipedia - A trade study or trade-off study is the activity of a multidisciplinary team to identify the most balanced technical solutions among a set of proposed viable solutions (FAA 2006). These viable solutions are judged by their satisfaction of a series of measures or cost functions. These measures describe the desirable characteristics of a solution.

Transponder
type: Class
subclass of: Retransmissions
comment: A transponder is a band-pass repeater. It accepts a range of frequencies on the input and retransmits the entire range on the output. All offsets within that range are preserved. NOTE: since the satellite is transmitting many signals at the same time, it is dividing its output power amongst all of these signals.

TrendAnalysis
type: Class
subclass of: Analysis
comment: Study of the changes of a Thing over time.

Upgrade
type: Class
subclass of: ProductDevelopment
comment: (Noun from WordNet#2 verb) - an improvement of what was old or outdated

Uplink
type: Class
subclass of: Communication
comment: The radio communication link used for signals from a gound station to a satellite.

UsabilityTest
type: Class
subclass of: Test
comment: Evaluation by people using the system (hardware or software) in a realistic situation to determine how well it can be used for its intended purpose (e.g., how well people can manipulate parts or controls, receive feedback, and interpret feedback) to identify potential human errors and areas for design improvement. (Source NPR 8705.2)

Validation
type: Class
subclass of: Analysis
comment: Proof that the product accomplishes the intended purpose. May be determined by a combination of test, analysis, and demonstration. (NPR - 8705.2)
comment: WordNet#1 - the act of validating; finding or testing the truth of something

Verification
type: Class
subclass of: Analysis
comment: Proof of compliance with specifications. May be determined by a combination of test, analysis, demonstration, and inspection. (NPR 8705.2)

Weapon
type: Class
subclass of: Device
comment: a device used to destroy, injure, or kill

X-band
type: Class
subclass of: MicrowaveBand
comment: For military communications satellites, the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) has assigned the X band uplink frequency band (for sending modulated signals) as from 7.9 to 8.4 GHz. The ITU-assigned downlink frequency band (for receiving signals) is from 7.25 to 7.75 GHz. The US military uses all frequencies in this spectrum; however, they use select signals on the frequencies throughout this spectrum. The typical local oscillator frequency of an X band low-noise block converter (LNB) is 6300 MHz. Both of these frequency bands are 500 MHz wide. In engineering, this pair of frequency bands may be referred to as the 8 / 7 GHz X band satellite communications system. (Source - Wikipedia)

RSDO
type: NASAoffice
type: NamedIndividual
comment: The Rapid Spacecraft Development Office (RSDO) is responsible for the management and direction of a dynamic and versatile program directing the definition, competition, and acquisition of multiple fixed-price Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contracts. These contracts offer NASA and other Federal Government Agencies fast and flexible procurement of spacecraft and spacecraft components for future missions.