Risk Management and Flight Assurance for Smallsat Mission Success

摘要

In the world of small satellite development, the central focus is the execution of an elegantly functional vehicle. Therefore, recognition of the basic modes in which the team and flight package can fail is inherent in fulfilling the purpose of a smallsat mission. In this process, a team recognizes that in correlating stakeholder needs with mission outcome, the novel spaceflight system is inherently exposed to odds of failure during design and build. Recognizing the general lack of focus on the role of risk management in university mission success, this work is intended to illuminate risk management processes for these missions to enable innovation in flight assurance practices and to bridge the gap to industry and governmental standards. This work examines risk in vehicle design and risk management documentation and illustration, as well as industry-standard analytical techniques. A case study of flight assurance implementation suggestions specific to the EXACT smallsat project is presented, including a suggested risk strategy for engineering phase and mission operations. Other major industry missions provide further lessons learned, and risk management software and analysis templates are discussed. Small satellites will have a fundamental role in upcoming exploration and scientific missions, but only if those flights can be assured from a risk management perspective.