Risk Management of Student-Run Small Satellite Programs
- Paper number
IAC-06-B5.3.06
- Author
Ms. Elizabeth Deems, Massachussets Institute of Technology (MIT), United States
- Year
2006
- Abstract
The purpose of this paper is to propose a risk management approach and associated risk mitigation techniques for university-affiliated, small satellite programs. Student-run projects can tolerate a higher level of risk than industry- and government-based programs because the consequences of failure are lower. Further, these small programs have a unique set of risks stemming from the typically inexperienced workforce, limited corporate knowledge, occasional distributed tasking among universities, and a high student turnover rate. Only those risk items unique to small, student-run satellite programs are presented. Additionally, several risk management strategies are explored, and the advantages and disadvantages of these risk-related tools and techniques are examined. To aid the process of risk identification in these particular programs, a Master Logic Diagram (MLD) for small satellites was created. An MLD is a risk assessment tool that helps identify the potential initiating events that could lead to failures during the mission. To validate the MLD, a case study of the Mars Gravity Biosatellite Project using this MLD is presented and analyzed. The Mars Gravity program is currently a joint venture of students at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the University of Queensland (Brisbane, Australia), and the Georgia Institute of Technology. This Master Logic Diagram approach is shown to provide an effective method that can be easily adapted for risk identification in other small, student-run satellite programs.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-06-B5.3.06.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
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