ASEN 5158 Space Habitat Design

9/11/2008


Chapter 2 Designing Human Space Missions

 

Learning Objectives

  1. Identify important characteristics of Mission Concepts and Architectures
  2. Describe the process of defining system level requirements based on top level mission objectives

 


The Design Process

 

Goal is to select the best overall (or least worst!) design for a human space mission and provide traceable rationale for the decisions

Begins with Concept Exploration and Requirement Definition

Establishes ROM cost / mass

The Mission Concept is the core of the Architectural Plan

 

  1. Define broad mission objectives
  2. Define mission requirements and constraints
  3. Develop alternate concepts and architectures
  4. Identify critical system drivers
  5. Select baseline mission
  6. Define systems requirements
  7. Document choices and rationale
  8. Integrate and iterate…

 


1. Mission Objectives

 

First step – broad goals that the system must meet, overall purpose of the mission

‘Qualitative’ for the most part at this point

Primary, secondary and non-technical objectives

Hidden agendas (political, social or cultural)

 

2. Mission Requirements and Constraints

 

Transforms the broad mission objectives into quantifiable design parameters in terms of specific requirements and constraints

 

3. Alternate Concepts and Architectures

 

Mission Concept + Element Options

Start with subject, orbit, C3 and Ground System

Used as framework for other elements

Payload unique issues may also drive process

Identify the Mission Elements to Trade

Identify the main parameters for each Element

Construct and ‘Prune’ a Trade Tree

 

Keep looking for other alternatives

Top down (goal driven) or bottom up (technology enabled)

Characterize the subsystems

Basic purpose is to quantitatively compare alternatives in terms of cost / benefit analysis

 

4. Critical System Drivers

 

Design parameters that significantly influence cost, mass, performance, risk and/or schedule

Examine factors and look for hidden drivers

 

5. Baseline

 

Converge on optimal solution for comparison with continuing trades

 

6. Systems Requirements

 

Attributes of a Good Requirement

 

7. Document and Rationalize

 

8. Integrate and Iterate…


 

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