Title :
A practical application of a systems engineering process in space avionics design and development
Author :
Phelan, Patrick T. ; Walls, Buddy J.
Author_Institution :
Southwest Res. Inst., San Antonio, TX, USA
Abstract :
The ongoing development of avionics to support the Spectral Imaging of the Coronal Environment (SPICE) Electronics Box (SEB) program as part of the European Space Agency´s (ESA) Solar Orbiter program has presented numerous design and verification challenges. A unique challenge in the development of the SPICE electronics is the validation of the system due to its multi-national elements and their concurrent development timelines. The practical application of a systems engineering process has reduced and mitigated these risks through requirements flow-down to subsystems and a comprehensive verification program to ensure all specifications are met. This paper discusses the lessons learned from requirements development and verification and validation activities. These lessons have resulted in a substantial risk reduction as the program has moved forward with flight model design development and testing activities.
Keywords :
aerospace testing; hyperspectral imaging; program verification; space vehicle electronics; ESA Solar Orbiter program; European Space Agency Solar Orbiter program; SEB program; SPICE electronics box program; comprehensive verification program; concurrent development timelines; flight model design development; multinational elements; space avionics design; spectral imaging of the coronal environment electronics box program; substantial risk reduction; systems engineering process; testing activities; Aerospace electronics; Detectors; Hardware; Instruments; SPICE; Space vehicles;
Conference_Titel :
Aerospace Conference, 2014 IEEE
Conference_Location :
Big Sky, MT
Print_ISBN :
978-1-4799-5582-4
DOI :
10.1109/AERO.2014.6836480
