State of the Practice for MBSE at NASA GRC

Date: September 11, 2023

Presented by:
Shira Nadile - MBSE Implementation Lead
NASA GRC, System Engineering and
Architecture Division
Agenda

1. NASA’s Digital Transformation Initiative

– How Digital Engineering relates to NASA’s Digital Transformation
– How MBSE fits into Digital Engineering
2. How MBSE models can connect to Multiple Disciplines and Tools
– Examples of modeling and data exchange capabilities
3. Progression of MBSE within the Agency
4. How is MBSE being used today at GRC
5. MBSE Resources to Facilitate Adoption at NASA and GRC

M B S E O v e r v i e w
 Experience with MBSE
• MBSE and SysML applied experience in NASA, Defense, Automotive • Current Role: MBSE Implementation Lead at NASA GRC
and Medical industries – Developing shared MBSE resources
• Developed SysML Models for Multiple NASA Projects:
– Identify MBSE activities and products to increase MBSE usage
– Deep Space Habitat Models
– Provide modeling and SE support to GRC projects
• Requirements, Concept Operations, Functional Analysis, Design,
Testing – Worked with multiple NASA MBSE SMEs to concur on a modeling
– Spacecraft Life Support System Models approach and message for the NASA Systems Modeling Handbook
• Cascade Distiller System for Systems Engineering (NASA-HDBK-1009)
• Capillary Brine Residual in Containment System – Actively support the GRC Digital Transformation (DT) team
– Testbed Models
• Human Exploration Testbed model for Integration and Analysis of
Space Habitats
• Integrated Power and Avionics System (IPAS)
– Power System Models
• Modeled Solar Plant System using SysML
– Heliostat, Solar Panels, thermal loops, reliability analysis
• Used SysML for Medical Device Modeling
– Hardware and Software, and reliability analysis
• Developed SysML Library Repository
– Collection of SysML Models

M B S E O v e r v i e w 3
 NASA’s Digital Transformation (DT) Initiative
• NASA’s Digital Transformation Initiative is a HQ led initiative to
– Collectively acknowledge and support the Agency’s need to transform the way we work, workforce and
workplace (to meet the demands and challenges we face – complexity, adaptation)
– Develop an overarching Enterprise vision and strategy for transformation
– Focus, share and leverage the Agency’s distributed efforts to apply new digital technologies and
approaches in order to improve effectiveness at an enterprise level
Transform
• For more information about NASA’s Digital Transformation Discovery
Transform
– Reference: NASA/TM–20220018538 Engineering
– https://ntrs.nasa.gov/citations/20220018538

Transform Decision
Making
Transform
Operations

M B S E O v e r v i e w 4
 How Does Digital Engineering Relate to NASA’s Digital Transformation

• What is Digital Engineering?

– An integrated digital approach that uses authoritative sources of systems' data and models as a
continuum across disciplines to support life cycle activities from concept through disposal. (DAU
Glossary -Defense Acquisition Guidebook)

• A major target of the DT Strategic initiative is to Transform Engineering

Transform
• Transforming Engineering requires and includes Digital Engineering, Discovery
Transform
specifically: Engineering
– Model-Based Engineering: Design, Systems Engineering, Analysis, etc.
– Leveraging new methods: Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning,
Virtual and Augmented Reality
Transform
– Manipulating and leveraging data to understand and improve Decision
development and decision-making Transform Making
Operations

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The 6 Key NASA Digital Technology Foundation Blocks

WORK Intelligent Automation (IA):

Here are 6 key NASA digital technology
IA Eliminate, optimize & automate processes into
foundation areas to assist with ramping up synchronized workflows across enterprise
transformational areas platforms to maximize our efficiency and
effectiveness to enable bolder missions faster

Artificial Intelligence / Model-Based Anything (MBx):

Machine Learning (AI/ML): Employ digital models including
Harness machine capabilities to digital twins across any/all functional
augment human intelligence in an domains to enable our people to
era of big data address increasing complexity, scope,
speed, uncertainty & changes
AI/ML Mx
Zero Trust Architecture: Extended Reality:
Enable dynamic internal/external IoT Enhance agile internal/
collaboration wherever teams external teaming via
need to work, leveraging secure seamless, immersive,
infrastructure, identity, network secure visualization &
& data architecture ZTA XR
collaboration

WORKPLACE Internet of Things:

Integrate wireless, networked sensors & controls at scale to WORKFORCE
M B S E O v e r v i e w enable real-time hindsight, insight & foresight of smart assets
Reference: NASA/TM–20220018538 https://ntrs.nasa.gov/citations/20220018538 6
How Does MBSE fit into Digital Engineering

• MBSE is a part of Digital Engineering

– MBSE consists of data and relationships with a graphical overlay to support views
of the data and relationships
• MBSE produces a system model that can link to models, documents, and additional
digital engineering tools
– Can be used to conduct analysis and reason on data for decisions
• Can utilize Artificial Intelligence (to
conduct analysis) and Machine
Learning (to reason)
– Can share data with third party tools to
conduct analysis/ generate additional
views

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 The Relationship of Modeling and Simulation to Systems Engineering
The top-half of
the Diamond
represents the
“Digital Twins”
(i.e. the virtual
representation of
the physical
systems)

The bottom-half
The interior of the
of the Diamond
Diamond represents
represents
the “Digital Thread”
Physical System
linking models/
(retaining
simulations (Digital
traditional SE “V”
Twins) to the design
flow)
of the physical
systems
M B S E O v e r v i e w Reference: https://www.incose.org/docs/default-source/midwest-gateway/events/incose-mg_2018-11-13_scheurer_presentation.pdf 8
Models Connected to Multiple Disciplines and Tools

M B S E O v e r v i e w Source: Izygon, M., Wang, L., Okon, S., Wagner, H., and Garner, L., “Effort to Accelerate MBSE Adoption and 9
Usage at JSC," AIAA SPACE 2016, Long Beach, CA, 2016.https://arc.aiaa.org/doi/pdf/10.2514/6.2016-5542
System Decomposition and System Interface Modeling and Data Exchange
Capabilities
SysML Models

Example Data Exchange Capabilities

• Can Extract Master Equipment Lists (MELs)

• Architecture Documents/Reports
• Can send structural decomposition data and
System
relationships and interface descriptions to
Decomposition other System Support and Analysis tools
– System Displays
– Resource Management
– Safety Analysis
– Discipline Engineering Tools
Interface
Descriptions

M B S E O v e r v i e w Image Source: NASA-HDBK-1009 (Link to NASA-HDBK-1009) 10

Functional Decomposition and Interface Modeling and Data Exchange
Capabilities
SysML Models

Functional
Decomposition Example Data Exchange Capabilities

• Together with the System Architecture

Description can be used to autogenerate a
ConOps Report
• Can send Functional decomposition data and
relationships and interface descriptions to
other System Support and Analysis tools
– Mission Operation Planning
– Electronic Procedures
– Safety Analysis

Functional flow/
M B S E O v e r v i e w Sequence of Events Image Source: NASA-HDBK-1009 (Link to NASA-HDBK-1009) 11
System Requirements Modeling and Data Exchange Capabilities

SysML Models and Tables

Example Data Exchange Capabilities

Requirements
• Can be used to auto-generate spreadsheet
Decomposition reports or System Specifications Document
– Can facilitate customer/vendor
specification discrepancies
• Can send data and relationships to other
System Support and Analysis tools
– System Design Validation
– Impact Assessments

Requirements Traceability

M B S E O v e r v i e w Image Source: NASA-HDBK-1009 (Link to NASA-HDBK-1009) 12

 Progression of MBSE within The Agency

History of MBSE Activity at the Agency Level:

• NASA Systems Engineering Working Group (SEWG) began MBSE discussions (2007)
– Sub-team to investigate MBSE formed (2009)
• NASA Integrated Model-Based Centric Architecture (NIMA) (2011 – 2015)
• MBSE Infusion and Modernization Initiative (MIAMI) effort (2016 – 2020)
Present

2007 2011 -2015 2016 - 2020 2020 2024

Started MBSE NIMA 4 Year MIAMI MLT Starts
Today at the Agency: discussions Effort Whitepaper
Benchmarks
NASA DT
Initiative Starts
• NASA MBSE Leadership Team (MLT) (2020 – Present) 2018
NASA MBSE
– Making a consolidated effort to get Agency MBSE resources available CoP Starts

– Every center has MLT representatives

• NASA MBSE Community of Practice (~2018 – Present)
• NASA Digital Transformation (DT) Initiative (2020 – Present)
• There are approximately 89 multi-center collaborations utilizing MBSE with about 350 modelers
• NASA published a NASA System Modeling Handbook for Systems Engineering (Dec 2022)

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 How has MBSE Adoption Progressed at GRC

• 2011: Started a MBSE GRC Working Group

– Developed a MBSE Roadmap

• 2011-Present: Applying MBSE to projects at GRC

• 2021-Present: Maturing GRC’s MBSE capability

– Agency has applied the INCOSE MBSE Capability
Assessment (MBCA) as a yardstick
– GRC uses the MBCA together with our roadmap to gauge
our current state and future state
– Defines tasks and products to support future state goals
– Laid out plans to mature our MBSE capability
– Increased engagement at the Agency Level and cross-
centers to collaborate and share/ leverage resources

M B S E O v e r v i e w 14
 GRC Projects Using MBSE and Application Areas

• Some GRC projects applying MBSE include:

– Advance Air Mobility projects (includes unmanned aerial systems)
– Power Propulsion Element (PPE), a Gateway/Artemis system Space Operations
– Exploration Medical Capabilities project NASA Mission
– Lunar Surface Architecture projects Directorates*
– Fission Surface Power project Aeronautics Research
 Cuts across the majority of
– Space Communications and Navigation (SCaN) NASA Mission Directorates
– High-Rate Delay Tolerant Networking
Exploration Systems
• Application Areas where MBSE is being used include: Development
– in support of Concept of Operations development
– for Requirements
Space Technology
– for Architecture and Interface definitions
– in support of Verification and Validation activities
– to support Safety Mission Assurance applications (ex: FMEAs)
– to support Security Engineering analysis and products Science

M B S E O v e r v i e w *Source: https://www.nasa.gov/about/org_index.html
 MBSE Resources to Facilitate Adoption at NASA and GRC

• A GRC MBSE SharePoint

– Common area to share knowledge and resources
• Starter Template Models
• Report Templates for extracting Word documents from the model
• Modeling guidelines that trace Technical Review Products to MBSE Products
• Revamping MBSE Training
• Agency and Center MBSE working groups
• The NASA System Modeling Handbook for Systems Engineering (NASA-HDBK-1009) –
Public Resource
• A Companion Model to the NASA-HDBK-1009 (A Template Model) – Public Resource

M B S E O v e r v i e w 16
NASA-HDBK 1009 Background and Scope
Background:
• Handbook development sponsored by the NASA Office of Chief Engineer (OCE)
– Based on a need from practitioners for a system modeling handbook
• The handbook development and approval adhered to the NASA Technical Standards Development Process
– Consensus based
– Formally concurred by the Engineering Management Board (EMB) members from all NASA centers and
signed by the NASA Chief Engineer

Scope:
• Shows how system modeling using SysML® can be integrated with the NASA Systems Engineering
processes in NPR 7123.1
– The SE products covered are Concept of Operations (ConOps), Requirements, and Verification and
Validation (V&V).
• Based on feedback from the NASA Agency MBSE CoP

M B S E O v e r v i e w 17
Example Product Views to Support Systems Engineering

Example Diagrams and Tables

to Support V&V Products

Example Diagrams and Tables

to Support ConOps Products
Example Diagrams and Tables to
Support Requirements Products
M B S E O v e r v i e w Source: NASA-HDBK-1009 (Link to NASA-HDBK-1009) 18
Questions

M B S E O v e r v i e w