The Technology management process At the European Space Agency
- Paper number
IAC-08.D3.4.-E5.4.6
- Author
Dr. Marco Guglielmi, European Space Agency (ESA), The Netherlands
- Coauthor
Mr. Edmund Williams, European Space Agency (ESA), Netherlands Antilles
- Coauthor
Mr. Stephane Lascar, European Space Agency (ESA), The Netherlands
- Year
2008
- Abstract
Technology is developed at the European Space Agency (ESA) under several programmes: corporate and domain specific, mandatory and optional, with different time horizons and covering different levels of the TRL scale. To improve the transparency and efficiency of the complete process, it was felt necessary to establish an agreed end to end process for the management of all technology R&D activity that could: 1. Include all ESA programmes and consider the requirements of European users 2. Lead to coordinated multi-year work plan and yearly procurement plans 3. Be harmonized with national initiatives in Europe 4. Prepare and enable future European space programmes In response to the above need, ESA has developed a technology management process called the ESA End-to-End process (E2E), from establishment of the strategy to the monitoring and evaluation of results. The E2E process involves all ESA stakeholders, is based on the European Space Technology Requirements Database, the ESA Technology Strategy and Long Term Plan, the ESA R&D plan, and the individual Technology Programmes work plans. In this paper, the complete process will be described in detail including a discussion on its strengths and limitations, and its links to the wider European harmonization process. The paper will be concluded with the introduction of the ESA Technology Tree: a basic tool to structure and facilitate communication about technology issues. In a further step the Agency is establishing the basis for a product policy that should reduce risks to technology users, reduce costs and delays, enhance industrial competitiveness and enhance non-dependence.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-08.D3.4.-E5.4.6.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
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