The NASA standard for models and simulations

ABSTRACT

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) developed the Standard for Models and Simulations as an indirect result of the Space Shuttle Columbia Accident. During the post-accident investigations, some findings indicated that the incorrect application of a model, simulation, and/or analysis method can lead to incorrect decision making. The resulting standard is distinct from existing software standards in that it focuses on the reporting of M&S results and the assessed credibility of those results. As a first of its kind standard, it is openly distributed for assessment and comment. Discussions about the impetus for developing this standard and its use in critical decision-making provide a framework for the discussion of the requirements contained therein.

REFERENCES

• 1: Agnew, P. G. (1928). "Work of the American Engineering Standards Committee" in Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, Vol. 137, Standards in Industry (May, 1928), pp. 13--16.
• 2: American National Standards Institute, Consumer Affairs Overview, "What is a Standard" (n.d.). Retrieved June 22, 2007 from http://www.ansi.org/consumer_affairs/overview.aspx?m enuid=5
• 3: Columbia Accident Investigation Board (CAIB) Report (August 2003).
• 4: A Renewed Commitment to Excellence -- An Assessment of the NASA Agency-Wide Applicability of the Columbia Accident Investigation Board Report (January 2004).
• 5: Final Report of the Return-to-Flight Task Group (July 2006).
• 6: NASA Standard for Models and Simulations, NASA-STD-(I)-7009, (December 2006).
• 7: NASA Procedural Requirements (NPR) for Software Engineering Requirements, NPR 7150.2.
• 8: NASA Software Safety Standard (NASA-STD-8719.13).
• 9: Osman Balci and William F. Ormsby (2006), "Quality Assessment of Modeling and Simulation of Network-Centric Military Systems," In Modeling and Simulation Tools for Emerging Telecommunications Networks: Needs, Trends, Challenges and Solutions, A. N. Ince and E. Topuz, Eds, Springer, New York, NY, Chapter 19, pp. 365--382.
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• 11: DoD Modeling and Simulation Office (DMSO), DoD Modeling and Simulation Verification, Validation, and Accreditation (VV&Amp;A) Recommended Practices Guide, Build 3.0, (September 2006).
• 12: Oberkampf, W. L., Trucano, T. G., and Hirsch, C. (2004). Verification, Validation, and Predictive Capability in Computational Engineering and Physics. In Applied Mechanical Review, vol. 57, no.5 (September 2004), 345--384.

INDEX TERMS

Keywords:
NASA, credibility, standard, validation, verification