Modeling Architectures and Parameterization of Spacecraft with Application to Persistent Platforms

Melanie L Grande, Purdue University

Abstract

With the increasing entrance of diverse new ventures to today’s space industry, there is a need for a dialogue and examples for advanced concepts to be approached with system-of-systems engineering (SoSE) methods. Since NASA and international partners have set their sights on returning humans to the Moon in the 2020s, there has been significant discussion of the potential for exploration and science missions. Additionally, in our existing Earth-orbit economy, servicing satellites and manufacturing technology have been demonstrated by both public and private actors. On-orbit servicing, assembly, and manufacturing (OSAM) stands to be the next “game changing” market in space. A future OSAM market may especially benefit from SoSE methods. Many sources in literature as well as actors in both the industry and federal agencies have spoken about the value and game-changing nature of OSAM capabilities for the future of larger, longer-life, and more flexible space assets. However, there has been little discussion or effort so far to approach the design of OSAM ventures using SoSE. The SoSE concept definition methods and modeling framework are essential for identifying the multi-faceted resources, operations, policies, and economics, as well as stakeholders, disruptors, and drivers that impact an SoS. This thesis will provide an overview of the SoSE discipline as well as Value-Centric Analysis (VCA), which was the selected method for the SoSE modeling and analysis process. This thesis will also present a new modeling and analysis environment. The Modeling Architectures and Parameterization of Spacecraft (MAPS) environment was created specifically to respond to today’s advanced space systems problems and to integrate existing SoSE and VCA tools. Finally, a case study is presented to demonstrate the capabilities of MAPS. In the case study, the design characteristics of a persistent platform in orbit with OSAM capabilities are evaluated to provide decision support. The methods presented in this thesis follow the three-phase process for SoSE: Definition, Abstraction, and Implementation. It begins with problem definition, then identification of stakeholders and value measures, and then proceeds to value and cost analysis using the MAPS environment. Each of the methods are applied to the case study of a persistent platform in low-Earth orbit. In the case study, over 18,000 architectures were analyzed to determine the design characteristics that best balanced value and cost. Several strategies for demonstrating OSAM technologies in orbit have been presented to the public over time, but this thesis has defined physical architecture design options and relevant value measures. In addition, the full SoSE process was applied to an OSAM concept for the first time. This work is therefore a significant step towards providing future insight to decision makers. The dialogue on these topics and the SoSE methods should be valuable to a future OSAM market and other new ventures in the space industry.

Degree

M.Sc.

Advisors

DeLaurentis, Purdue University.

Subject Area

Aerospace engineering|Industrial engineering

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