1. At A Glance VOLT is a freeware, platform independent tool set that coordinates cross-mission observation planning and scheduling among one or more space or ground-based observatories. Benefits Increases science return via complex, coordinated observations Supports early detection of planning conflicts Greatly reduces amount of manual coordination, providing significant cost benefits Platform independent Easily extensible and configurable for new missions/observatories Can be used for single or multi-mission scheduling Features Visual, integrated displays facilitate quick identification of valid scheduling options Time range selection capabilities to further constrain the problem domain Suggests constraint modification to increase the schedulability of the observation Visual Observation Layout Tool (VOLT) Product Overview VOLT is a visual software tool set developed by NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center that automates much of the planning and coordination tasks required for scheduling single or cross-mission observations for both space and ground based observatories. After supplying VOLT with an observation specification, VOLT interfaces with the requested observatories to determine the schedulability of the observation, given the various orbital, instrument, and mission constraints. VOLT visually presents candidate timeframes for scheduling the observation and provides suggestions for relaxing some of the constraints that may be limiting the schedulability of the observation. VOLT is designed to be flexible and configurable, and can be used by observers and coordinators and local at collaborating observatories. VOLT’s visual presentation can be useful for single observatories in addition to the multi-spacecraft environment for which it was originally designed. VOLT Schedulability Display – This display shows schedulability details for two observatories: Chandra and HST. NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Advanced Architectures and Automations Branch, Code 588 Information Systems Research and Development http://aaa.gsfc.nasa.gov email: tso@pop500.gsfc.nasa.gov

2. VOLT - Feature Details Proposal Import: Users may input the details of an observation via the VOLT GUI or via VOLT’s proposal ingest capabilities. VOLT provides templates for specifying frequently requested observation sets (e.g., periodic observations.) VOLT supports Extensible Markup Language (XML)-based representations of proposals, plans, and schedules, making these data elements platform independent. Observation Specification and Constraint: Users can experiment with different scenarios by varying observation constraints without altering the original proposal. Users can also specify time intervals when the observation may not be scheduled. Users can edit/save multiple versions of an observation specification for future processing. Integrated displays of schedulability information: Users can access VOLT to display schedules for selected observatories or merged schedulability data for one or more observatories. VOLT obtains the information from the planning and scheduling data supplied by the requested observatories, and presents the data in a visual, integrated display. Analysis of scheduling data and options for constraint modification: VOLT takes a user’s observation request and analyzes how it fits in to the schedule(s) of the requested observatories. The analysis and candidate times are presented in a visual display. Users can easily identify where the observation fits into the schedule. VOLT presents an initial solution, and allows users to scroll through other suggested solutions. VOLT also suggests modifications to constraints to improve schedulability. VOLT provides an explanation if no scheduling solution can be found. Product Benefits Near real time collaboration. User groups can work together during specification of a coordinated observation. Extensible. Users can customize the program to interface with any observatory’s scheduling system. Easily integrated. VOLT can be easily configured to work with other observation definition and planning tools (e.g., see the Scientist Expert Assistant (SEA) also developed by NASA GSFC). Advanced visualization tools. VOLT presents schedulability timeline data for multiple coordinated observations in an integrated display so users can quickly identify valid timeframes and limiting constraints for coordinated or simultaneous observations. System Requirements -- VOLT is written using version 1.3 of the Java Development Kit. Observers may run the web version using V5.0 or later of either Netscape or Internet Explorer. The web version of VOLT can be installed on any web server that supports Java Servlets. Users must have a minimum of 64 MB RAM, 333 MHz CPU and either Windows 95 (or greater) or Solaris 7 (or greater) to run the version of VOLT that is not web-based. Availability -- VOLT may be obtained by contacting the GSFC Code 588 Technology Support Office (TSO) at tso@pop500.gsfc.nasa.gov. Current Users -- VOLT can support NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope (HST), the Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer (FUSE), and the Chandra X-Ray Observatory missions via automated interfaces to their planning systems.