DESIGNING FOR THE FUTURE BY TESTING TODAY: A SUMMARY OF SPACEX SYSTEM MANAGEMENT PRACTICES

摘要

SpaceX is committed to revolutionizing access to space by providing highly reliable space systems. Ourworkhorse space systems, the Falcon 9 launch vehicle and Dragon spacecraft, were designed from the ground up toprovide access to space that is safe, rapid and economical. We embrace a test-like-you-fly philosophy, and we usecontrolled processes to test technology developments and maintain mission assurance. While many classicalconcepts of systems engineering are based on preventing design escapes within an extensive network ofsubcontracting, SpaceX systems engineering is not. That is because the company is heavily vertically integrated,producing between 75% and 80% of its products in-house. As such, we adhere to a philosophy of distributed systemsengineering. This type of systems engineering hinges on two key facets: effective communication among the teamsresponsible for design, production, testing; and frequent iteration among the three. To aid rapid and accuratecommunications, in addition to the traditionally anchored engineering lead SpaceX has purposely developedpositions in which SpaceXers work across subsystems and product lines. This system, which is aided by cutting-edgedigital tools, allows for engineering performance and top-level requirements to be verified and optimized throughrepeated testing at the subsystem and integrated system levels. This paper presents SpaceX management practicesused to bring development, test, and production of new technologies into an integrated system that maintains missionassurance and customer satisfaction.