Session
Poster Session II
Event Website
https://www.smallsat.org/index
Abstract
In 2014, International Academy of Astronautics (IAA) initiated Study Group (SG) 4.18, "Definition and Requirements of Small Satellites Seeking Low-Cost and Fast-Delivery". Its objectives of the study group are to examine the definitions of small satellites, identify the requirements every satellite should follow and then reflect some of the findings to an ISO standard draft ISO/WD/20991, "Space systems - Requirements for Small Spacecraft" that is being developed recently at ISO/TC20/SC14. The purpose of the present paper is to present the latest findings in the SG activity especially in terms of small satellite definition.
During the SG meeting in 2014, a round-table discussion was held to discuss the terminology to describe small satellites. The majority of the opinions were that neither "mass" nor "size" is suitable for defining small satellites. Rather, philosophy of design, manufacturing, mission, program management, etc., should be used for the definition. The round-table discussion came to the conclusion that the term "Lean Satellite" is more suitable than "Small Satellite".
Historically, the word of "lean" originated from Toyota Production System (TPS). There are few things in common between satellites and automobiles. It is very difficult to apply lean concepts as they are to satellites. But some concept of "lean" is necessary for satellites. New types of customers are emerging today who want more value from satellites through lower unit prices and faster system delivery. Currently, mega-constellations consisting of hundreds or thousands of satellites are being proposed. Traditional satellite development philosophy cannot be applied to mega-constellations because the total cost would be prohibitively high. Small satellites and mega-constellations can benefit from the application of the lean satellite concept, although it must be modified to accommodate the differences between satellites and automobiles. Space systems engineering has put emphasis on delivering a perfectly working system. On the other hand, lean concept has put emphasis on delivering a high-quality product with the minimum cost and shortest time. Developing the lean satellite concept can be an interesting new subject for space systems engineering.
As a part of the SG activity, 16 questions were identified as good measures to scale the characteristics as a lean satellite. The 16 questions are made of 9 categories with different weighting. They are (1) total cost, (2) delivery time, (3) simplicity, (4) risk taking, (5) risk mitigation, (6) reliability requirement, (7) mission duration, (8) launch, and (9) waste minimization. Some categories are further divided to multiple questions. Each question has its weight. Each answer has its score. By adding the points of all the 16 questions, the total point is between 0 and 100.
The questionnaire made of the 16 questions was distributed in SG and answers by more than 41 satellites from all over the world were collected. At the conference, the lean satellite concept will be presented more in detail along with the analysis of answers made by the 41 satellites.
Included in
Lean Satellite Concept
In 2014, International Academy of Astronautics (IAA) initiated Study Group (SG) 4.18, "Definition and Requirements of Small Satellites Seeking Low-Cost and Fast-Delivery". Its objectives of the study group are to examine the definitions of small satellites, identify the requirements every satellite should follow and then reflect some of the findings to an ISO standard draft ISO/WD/20991, "Space systems - Requirements for Small Spacecraft" that is being developed recently at ISO/TC20/SC14. The purpose of the present paper is to present the latest findings in the SG activity especially in terms of small satellite definition.
During the SG meeting in 2014, a round-table discussion was held to discuss the terminology to describe small satellites. The majority of the opinions were that neither "mass" nor "size" is suitable for defining small satellites. Rather, philosophy of design, manufacturing, mission, program management, etc., should be used for the definition. The round-table discussion came to the conclusion that the term "Lean Satellite" is more suitable than "Small Satellite".
Historically, the word of "lean" originated from Toyota Production System (TPS). There are few things in common between satellites and automobiles. It is very difficult to apply lean concepts as they are to satellites. But some concept of "lean" is necessary for satellites. New types of customers are emerging today who want more value from satellites through lower unit prices and faster system delivery. Currently, mega-constellations consisting of hundreds or thousands of satellites are being proposed. Traditional satellite development philosophy cannot be applied to mega-constellations because the total cost would be prohibitively high. Small satellites and mega-constellations can benefit from the application of the lean satellite concept, although it must be modified to accommodate the differences between satellites and automobiles. Space systems engineering has put emphasis on delivering a perfectly working system. On the other hand, lean concept has put emphasis on delivering a high-quality product with the minimum cost and shortest time. Developing the lean satellite concept can be an interesting new subject for space systems engineering.
As a part of the SG activity, 16 questions were identified as good measures to scale the characteristics as a lean satellite. The 16 questions are made of 9 categories with different weighting. They are (1) total cost, (2) delivery time, (3) simplicity, (4) risk taking, (5) risk mitigation, (6) reliability requirement, (7) mission duration, (8) launch, and (9) waste minimization. Some categories are further divided to multiple questions. Each question has its weight. Each answer has its score. By adding the points of all the 16 questions, the total point is between 0 and 100.
The questionnaire made of the 16 questions was distributed in SG and answers by more than 41 satellites from all over the world were collected. At the conference, the lean satellite concept will be presented more in detail along with the analysis of answers made by the 41 satellites.
https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/smallsat/2016/Poster2/11
