Constellation Program Life-cycle Cost Analysis Model (LCAM)
Prince, A.¹; Albertson, R.²; Rose, H.²; Wood, J.^3
1NASA; ²Wyle Labs; ³SAIC

The Constellation Program is NASA's effort to replace the Space Shuttle, return humans to the moon, and prepare for a human mission to Mars. To enable Constellation affordability, a total ownership cost life-cycle parametric cost estimating capability is required. This capability is being developed by the Constellation Systems Engineering and Integration (SE&I) Directorate, and is called the Life-cycle Cost Analysis Model (LCAM).

The requirements for LCAM are based on the need to have a parametric estimating capability in order to do top-level program analysis, evaluate design alternatives, and explore options for future systems. By estimating the total cost of ownership within the context of the planned Constellation budget, LCAM can provide senior decision makers with the cost data necessary to identify the most affordable alternatives. LCAM is a key component of the Integrated Program Model, an SE&I developed capability that combines parametric sizing tools with cost, schedule, and risk models to perform program analysis.

LCAM is using existing and enhanced NASA cost estimating relationships that have been developed for models such as the NASA Air Force Cost Model (NAFCOM) and the Operations Cost Model (OCM). A post-estimate, factor based cost-risk capability is provided. LCAM instantiates these relationships into Excel spreadsheets and these spreadsheets are integrated into the IPM using Phoenix ModelCenter. LCAM has also been designed to operate in a "stand alone" mode in order to support integrated design trades. An Access database provides data sharing and integrity capability for use by teams of analysts outside of the IPM environment.