A value-centric design and certification architecture for space systems

Abstract

The rapid development of emerging concepts and technologies, e.g., modularity, standardization, and fractionation, has resulted in the miniaturization of satellites and simplification of mission design, as well as a move towards more responsive and economical systems. However, the current customized and labor-intensive design philosophy is not naturally appropriate for enabling the application of these concepts and technologies. Therefore, a value-centric architecture for spacecraft design and certification is proposed in this paper to address this need. Firstly, the characteristics of different types of spacecraft are compared and summarized. In parallel, a survey on the current design and certification frameworks of large and complex systems is carried out. Taking in the experience of the frameworks, a generic design and certification architecture is developed from a value-centric perspective. Apart from keeping the critical advantages from the traditional methodologies, the new approach is capable of solving the problems inherent themselves. The results of a preliminary case study clearly show that the approach proposed can effectively capture, analyze, and optimize the value of different system designs, appealing to the growth of the space market.