Potential for Paperless Payload ProcessingAN ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA, COMPANY IS commercializing a paperless procedures system it developed under a Kennedy Space Center Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) contract for use in Space Shuttle and International Space Station payload processing operations. SENTEL Corporation will offer the Advanced Process Manager™ (APM), a state-of-the-art system for executing maintenance and inspection procedures within a robust product data management system framework. The aerospace system life cycle data management is the primary focus, with defense system life cycle data management, product data management, supply chain management and fleet maintenance management to follow. The APM combines NASA's Electronic Portable Information Collection (EPIC) System with leading configuration and data management tools—CMstat's V5 configuration management software and Symbol Technologies' Spectrum 24™ wireless network technology. EPIC incorporates a handheld, pen-based computer platform with the capability to install a variety of data collection forms, record data against those forms, imprint controlled signature authority, maintain the integrity of the data collected and relay the data to a computer network for analysis or archiving. Data are entered electronically, either with a keyboard or a pen, using handwriting recognition. The system distributes these data to all other terminals. The ink stamp is replaced with an electronic stamp that meets the form, fit and function of the old ink stamp. A programmable memory chip inside the electronic stamp stores a unique identifier. Once the procedure is completed, it is converted to Portable Document Format (PDF) and stored electronically in a documentation system. NASA and SENTEL designed, built and tested the prototype, determined it to be a viable option and formed a partnership through a Nonreimbursable Space Act Agreement to develop the operational version of the system. NASA developed EPIC's form conversion, stamp utilities and report generator software, which are applications that are more specific to requirements for use in the Space Shuttle Main Engine Shop and for Space Station ground processing in 1998. NASA and United Space Alliance (USA), the Space Shuttle launch contractor at Kennedy Space Center, are planning a pilot program for using EPIC at the Hypergol Maintenance Facility. Also, Kennedy and Ames Research Center are conducting research to apply the EPIC project in the area of wireless communication and in developing smaller, lighter hardware to display the EPIC portable data terminals in various Kennedy environments, NASA Lead Project Engineer Darcy Miller said. SENTEL is responsible for developing the Portable Data Terminal software module. This piece of software holds the greatest potential in other work environments, such as the aerospace and aviation (airline) industries, the warehouse and shipping industries, the shipbuilding industry, law enforcement agencies and public utilities. Other potential applications include maintenance workflow management, inventory, inspections, electronic document management and ISO 9000 certification. For example, SENTEL is working with the electrical power industry to study the development of an EPIC-based system for electrical power substation maintenance and is scheduling installs in select power plants. In addition, a major European airline is negotiating with SENTEL for an EPIC-based airplane maintenance system. For more information, contact the Technology Programs and Commercialization
Office at Kennedy Space Center. |
Space Shuttle payload processing operations combined with a promising Portable Data Terminal software module are being commercialized into a state-of-the-art paperless data management system with numerous applications. |
