General Resource Tab

The general resource tab provides the controls to define the general attributes of the resource.

To display the General Tab, select Resource -> New or Resource -> Edit from the Menu Bar, then click on the General Tab.

General Tab

Priority Textbox

The priority textbox allows you to assign a priority to the resource. In the textbox, STK Scheduler will accept only numbers that fall within the priority range. Alternatively, the and buttons may be used to select the desired priority. The default priority of a newly created resource will be the center of the defined schedule resource priority range.

The resource priority scale and convention may be defined using the Schedule Properties Form. See Setting Schedule File Parameters.

Resource Buffer Time (Optional)

The Resource Buffer Time is an optional configuration that will lock any task that uses that resource and starts before a specified duration after real time, whenever you run the algorithms. The specified duration is the resource-level buffer time.

Scheduler's concept of real time is based on the Scheduler computer's current date and time. For schedules used in operations, it is strongly recommended that you set yourcomputer's time to UTC time.

The task lock is only applied at the time of deconfliction. Scheduler will not automatically lock tasks that fall into the buffer time as the real time progresses through the schedule.

Minimum Setup Time

Allows you to define the least amount of time required for a resource to be set up prior to being used by a task.

There are multiple ways for a setup duration to expand from its minimum. The following is the order of precedence from least to greatest:

  1. Minimum Setup Time as defined in the resource
  2. Common Setup Times

Breakdown Time

Allows you to define the amount of time that a resource is unavailable for after a task is finished.

STK Object File Path Textbox (Optional)

The STK object file path textbox displays the path within an associated STK Scenario that defines an STK object with which a resource is associated (if any). An associated STK object may be defined by either typing the path and name of the object in the STK object textbox or by clicking on the Browse STK Object button. When the button is used, the path of the associated STK object will be placed in the textbox once a selection is made.

Browse STK Objects Button

The browse STK objects opens the Select STK Object Form. This form will allow you to choose an STK object from the associated STK Scenario for use as an STK Scheduler Resource.

The associated STK Scenario may be defined using the Schedule Properties Form. See Setting Schedule File Parameters.

Export Orbit Data

The Export Orbit Data button will download the current orbit data for the associated object in STK. Selecting this button will open a File Explorer to define the file location and name.

Update Orbit Data

The Update Orbit Data button allows for new orbit data to be uploaded to satellite objects in the associated STK scenario. Accepted files formats are .tle | .e | .oem

Merge Orbit Data Checkbox

The Merge Orbit Data checkbox allows you to control how new orbit data is handled. If checked, the new orbit data will be merged with existing orbit data for the current schedule period. Any overlap will be overwritten by the new file. If unchecked, the new orbit data file will completely replace the existing file

For most orbit data files, validation of the file is done in STK to ensure that Scheduler does not inappropriately block an orbit data file that STK can handle. However, in order to provide better user feedback and prevent certain errors in STK, Scheduler does check for the following:

  • Confirming that Two-line Element Set (.tle) files have a valid format for satellite catalog number on the first line
  • Confirming that CCSDS Orbital Ephemeris Message (.oem) files have required fields such as OBJECT_NAME and REF_FRAME, and that these fields have properly formatted values

Resource Tags Frame

The Resource Tags frame contains the controls necessary to define a new resource tag and assign a resource to an existing resource tag. A resource tag is a concept provided to help you quickly sort through large numbers of resources. STK Scheduler does not require a resource to be associated with a resource tag.

New Tag Textbox (Optional)

The new tag textbox allows you to enter the name of a new tag to be created.

Create Button

The Create button creates a new tags called by whatever text is within the new tag textbox. The new tag is then added to the available tag listbox.

Available tags Listbox (Optional)

The available tags listbox contains a list of all the tags with which a resource may be associated.

Delete Button

The Delete button will cause the tag selected in the Available Tags Listbox to be permanently deleted. Any other resource using this tag will no longer be associated with it. Your confirmation is required for this action.

Included tags Listbox (Optional)

The Included Tags listbox contains a list of all the tags with which a resource is associated.

Add Button

The Add button places a selected tag from the available tags listbox and moves it into the included tags listbox thereby associating a resource with the tag. A resource may be associated with multiple resource tags.

Remove Button

The Remove button places a selected tag from the included tags listbox and moves it into the available tags listbox thereby disassociating a resource with the tag.

Assignment Color

Override Status Color Checkbox

If the Override Status Color Checkbox is enabled, then the resource's Assignment Color may be used for display of tasks assigned to this resource. If multiple resource are assigned to a task, the color will be chosen based on priority and resource name.

Assignment Color

The Assignment Color is the color used for display of tasks assigned to this resource if the Override Status Color Checkbox is enabled. If multiple resources are assigned to a task, the color will be chosen based on priority and resource name. The Assignment Color can be changed by clicking on the color and selecting a new color from the color form.

Cost

Cost in USD

Allows you to define the cost of resource assignments. Cost units are in United States Dollars.

Cost Rate

Allows you to define how cost is accumulated. Options are $ per second and $ per assignment.

Setup (Time) Applies

Allows you to define whether resource setup time is used in the calculation of resource cost.

Breakdown (Time) Applies

Allows you to define whether resource breakdown time is used in the calculation of resource cost.