Space Mission Analysis

Dr. Andrew Ketsdever

Space Mission Design

• Advantages of Space

– Global perspective– Clear view of the heavens– Free-fall environment– Abundant resources– Final frontier

Space Mission Design

• Many different types of design processes, which do we use?– All, or maybe none of them! All attempt to solve basic

problem of optimizing performance, cost, and time

→ Just depends on what you’re trying to accomplish (must consider project goals, constraints, background of group solving, etc)

Performance Cost

Schedule

Optimum design space

System Engineering Process• A System:

– An integrated composite of people, products, and processes that provide a capability to satisfy a stated need or objective

• Defense Acquisition University, “System Engineering Fundamentals”

Systems Engineering• The System Engineering Process covers

the development, manufacturing, verification, testing, operations, and disposal of a system

Subject

Orbit andConstellation

Space Element

Launch ElementGround Element

Operations

C3

Space Mission Design Process

FireSat (SMAD Example)

FireSat Objectives

FireSat Functional Requirements

FireSat Operational Requirements

FireSat ConstraintsConstraint

Analysis of Alternatives

Analysis of Alternatives

FireSat Mission Summary