ECSS: A UNIQUE SYSTEM OF STANDARDS FOR SPACE PROJECT TO BE APPLIED IN THE CUSTOMER-SUPPLIER CHAIN
- Paper number
IAC-08.D3.4.-E5.4.3
- Author
Mr. Luciano BALESTRA, European Space Agency (ESA), The Netherlands
- Year
2008
- Abstract
Space programs have challenging performances and lifetime requirements; the projects are becoming more and more sophisticated and inter-related with request of increased mission reliability while schedule and costs have to be reduced. In this context, the use of standards improve efficiency of project management and execution. The use of a coherent system of standards definitively allows: to achieve more cost effective space projects, to improve their quality and safety, to facilitate clear, formal and unambiguous communication between all parties within the customer-supplier chain, to minimize risk, and to guaranty interoperability and interface compatibility. Risks are decreased because standardization offers proven and consolidated techniques, processes, methodologies and interfaces. Cost is reduced as standardization spreads the investment across different space missions and requires less expensive verification/testing campaigns. Therefore, some 15 years ago, ECSS (European Cooperation for Space Standardization) started as a cooperative effort European Space Agencies and Space Industries. The aim was to develop a single set of coherent standards for use in all European space activities addressing all essential aspects of the three major domains for the successful implementation of space programmes and projects: Project management, Engineering, and Product assurance. Having defined a first set of standards, initiated their use in different space agency projects and gathered users’ feedback, two years ago it was decided to consolidate ECSS such that it provides:
- A comprehensive and coherent set of standards offering a complete and stable framework to support the formal customer-supplier relationship at all levels of a project, in an efficient and cost effective manner;
- A system of standards constructed in such a way that it can be applied throughout the life cycle of space projects and programmes;
- A system that can be utilized in activities ranging from small projects to very large programmes, and therefore designed to be adapted to its specific domain of application or phase by use of tailoring activities;
- A system of standards that makes maximum use of existing standards by adopting commonly used international standards.
The paper addresses the objectives of the ECSS standardization system and its organization, the documentation architecture and content characteristics, the principles of utilisation and maintenance. Furthermore it presents the measures being taken by ECSS to enhance the suitability of the standards for direct use in contracts and to account for the lessons learned related to the development and use of standards. The paper will also present the ECSS potential to facilitate international cooperation and its relationships with other Standards Developing Organizations (SDO).
This paper is presented by the author on behalf of the ECSS Technical Authority.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-08.D3.4.-E5.4.3.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
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