Implementation of a Product-centric Space System Approach to Nanosatellite Systems Design and Deployment

Greenland, S., Mendham, P., Macdonald, M., McInnes, C. and Clark, C. (2016) Implementation of a Product-centric Space System Approach to Nanosatellite Systems Design and Deployment. The 4S Symposium 2016, Valletta, Malta, 30 May - 03 Jun 2016.

Abstract

Over recent years, development of nanosatellite buses from providers have begun to stabilize around full assemblies consisting of mostly standardised modules (such as CubeSat CSK PC/104) selected for a mission application. Companies in the market offer off-the-shelf buses for integration to payloads, with limited configuration for that mission. Given that a key feature of the nanosatellite market is use of batch or mass production to minimize costs, efficient configuration and control of the systems as offered to customers and throughout the full life-cycle plays an increasingly important role. Use of a Space System Model (SSM) to define a logical structure of the system, such as that defined for operations in ECSS standards, presents the opportunity to reflect configuration of the satellite throughout the development and subsequent operation of the satellite. Using a product-centric SSM, based on CubeSat modularity, system engineers working across multiple missions or within a larger constellation or distributed network can more efficiently manage variation and branching. A standardized taxonomy, translated into an XML schema is presented herein, with specific application to nanosatellite missions and tackling a number of challenges in implementation such as managing multiple copies. Benefits of tracking the satellite SSM variations can be realized across the system lifecycle: from more product-centric design, focused delta design reviews, reduced manufacturing instructions and test campaigns, and increased operational autonomy.

• Item Type: Conference or Workshop Item
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: McInnes, Professor Colin
• Authors: Greenland, S., Mendham, P., Macdonald, M., McInnes, C., and Clark, C.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Systems Power and Energy

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