ISE provides a new frontier for synthesis of complex engineering products and missions

The intelligent synthesis environment (ISE) being developed by NASA, UVA and JPL for significantly enhancing the rapid creation of innovative affordable products and missions is described. ISE uses a synergistic combination of leading-edge technologies, including high performance computing, high-capacity communications and networking, virtual product development, knowledge-based engineering, computational intelligence, human-centered computing, and product information management. The environment will link scientists, design teams, manufacturers, suppliers and consultants who participate in the mission synthesis, as well as in the creation and operation of the aerospace system. It will radically advance the process by which complex science missions are synthesized, and high-tech engineering systems are designed, manufactured and operated. The human-centered computing, infrastructure for distributed collaboration, rapid synthesis and simulation tools, and life cycle integration and validation are described.