Autogen Version 2.0

Version 2.0 of the autogen software has been released. "Autogen" (automated sequence generation) signifies both a process and software used to implement the process of automated generation of sequences of commands in a standard format for uplink to spacecraft. Autogen requires fewer workers than are needed for older manual sequence-generation processes and reduces sequence-generation times from weeks to minutes. The autogen software comprises the autogen script plus the Activity Plan Generator (APGEN) program. APGEN can be used for planning missions and command sequences. APGEN generates a graphical user interface that facilitates scheduling of activities on a time line and affords a capability to automatically expand, decompose, and schedule activities. The earlier version of the autogen software was developed for the Mars 2001 Odyssey spacecraft. Version 2.0 offers enhanced capabilities to serve, simultaneously, multiple spacecraft (including the Mars Global Surveyor, the Mars Exploration Rovers, and the future Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter) that may be at different phases of their missions (including cruise, aerobraking, mapping, and relay operations).