Advances in Assembly, Integration and Testing (AIT) and Risk Reduction Methodology at the David Florida Laboratory

摘要

The successful mission delivery and the survival of the spacecraft or of any other space system depends on the final set of qualification and verification tests performed in highly specialized Assembly, Integration and Test (AIT) centres. Every AIT program is highly customized and plays an important role in the development process of any spacecraft or space system. The AIT program depends on the actual mission operational requirements, including its projected lifespan and on detailed considerations associated with the specific payload requirements. The David Florida Laboratory (DFL) of the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) is the Canadian national space qualification and testing centre, which offers comprehensive AIT services for Canadian Government funded programs, for domestic and external clients from the space industry, and for national space agencies and organizations. The DFL is an ISO 9001:2008 accredited centre with qualification facilities grouped in three main categories of services: Environmental Qualification (EQ) (Thermal and Structural), Radiofrequency Qualification (RF) and Assembly & Integration (A&I). In addition, the DFL has three other important areas of operation: Client Support and Business Development (CSBD), Life Cycle Support (LCS) and AIT Development All important test services offered at DFL, including various methodologies developed for risk reduction and mitigation, are presented. The Risk Reduction Methodology aspects are presented when dealing with increasingly challenging test requirements. Risks are classified in four risk domains: ATT Management Planning, Qualification System Operation and Evolution, Life Cycle Support (LCS) and Client Interfaces (I/F). These domains are briefly described The risk mitigation will depend on the size of the actual test program associated with the specific space program or project Some examples from the recent qualification campaigns at DFL are presented. DFL's test technology development program ensures that the baseline services are maintained and that the centre preserves the state-of-the-art level in measurement technology. This paper also includes examples of recent AIT test technology studies and of implemented test technologies, aimed at increasing the accuracy and reliability of space hardware testing. Finally, we included a set of recommendations on Risk Management Methodology when dealing with increasingly challenging test requirements.