A System of Systems Engineering Approach to Future Space Missions

Paper number

IAC-08.D1.3.4

Author

Dr. Marco Lisi, Telespazio S.p.A., Italy

Year

2008

Abstract

In recent years systems engineering methodologies and tools have found widespread use in the design and development of space systems.
On the other hand, space systems are increasingly becoming “systems of systems” and network-centric, in the sense that they are large-scale concurrent and distributed systems, the components of which are complex systems themselves. Systems of systems exhibit five distinctive characteristics: operational independence of the constituent systems, managerial independence of the systems, geographical distribution, emerging behaviors and evolutionary development.
Examples in Europe are the satellite navigation system Galileo, to be integrated in the GNSS system of systems, and GMES, the European contribution to the GEOSS system of systems.
A “system of systems”, network-centric approach to space-based systems has been so far adopted mainly in military programs. Space missions, whether for commercial applications (e.g. telecommunications or Earth observation) or for scientific and exploratory purposes, are still characterized by a distinctive “space-centric” attitude, often precluding an effective allocation of functions between space, ground and user segments.
A net-centric approach and a “system of systems” architecture are particularly advantageous in designing the ground segment, that is more and more often constituted of a number of ground facilities, geographically dispersed and all connected in a fully meshed network infrastructure.  
A drastic paradigm shift is needed: tomorrow’s space systems must be service-centered rather than technology-centered, “network-centric” rather than “satellite-centric”.
This paradigm shift implies an engineering and organizational approach based on four pillars:

* concurrency;

* integration (net-centricity);

* collaboration;

* “through life” perspective.

Future space systems can take great advantage in using modern systems engineering tools, such as Architectural Frameworks (e.g. DoDAF or MoDAF), Model Driven System Development methodologies and the use of standard languages (such as SySML).
Systems engineering approach and net-centric perspective are specifically needed in the definition of the top level space system architecture and in the trade-off’s apportioning functionalities between space and ground segments. Moreover, the systems engineering process should integrate cost estimating techniques, in order to weight architectures in terms of their actual “value for money”.
The paper will also present a space systems profile for NCAT (TM), the net-centricity analysis tool developed by the Network Centric Operations Industry Consortium (NCOIC).

Abstract document

IAC-08.D1.3.4.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-08.D1.3.4.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.