The nanosatellite industry is expanding rapidly, as academic and private institutions develop new technologies for experimentation on orbit. These "CubeSats" are resource constrained, complex socio-technical systems that have complicated interdependencies across multiple domains. To improve understanding and reduce ambiguity, systems engineers apply a variety of modeling frameworks to model system behavior. Introduced in 2007, the Engineering Systems Multiple- Domain Matrix (ES-MDM) framework addresses the interdependencies of a complex engineering system, such as a CubeSat, across five domains: environmental, social, functional, technical and process. Using the Free-space Lasercom and Radiation Experiment (FLARE) CubeSat constellation as an example engineering system case, the ES-MDM is constructed using the qualitative knowledge construction framework to model and analyze the system drivers, stakeholders, objectives, function, objects and processes of the system. The primary objective of this analysis is to provide a structured systems design approach for nanosatellite development that encompasses the entire system holistically. The second objective is to analyze the interactions and interdependencies within a highly-constrained system and determine key design nodes that are critical to system flexibility. The third objective is to evaluate the ability of the ES-MDM methodology to analyze a highly-constrained system. The fourth objective of thesis is to provide recommendations for future work to improve the ESMDM framework and the s7102 Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Integrated Design and Management Program.

The effort under this grant was designed to further the goals of both NASA and the Air Force in the area of small satellites in two ways: hardware development for nanosatellites, and the education of future aerospace professionals. The hardware component of the effort involved the design, construction and testing of a flight-ready nanosatellite to demonstrate several novel technologies for small satellites. The five on-board experiments, the details of which are given below, had as their emphasis the use of hardware that is capable of performing several distinct satellite functions, or is based on commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) technologies, or both. Multi-functionality and COTS systems are key to the development of low-mass, low-volume, low-cost nanosatellites. The educational component of the grant involved teams of aerospace engineering, electrical engineering and computer science undergraduates designing, developing and testing BEARSat, as well as individual graduate students, two of whom serve in succession as Project Manager. As a result of this effort, NASA and the Air Force have additional young aerospace engineers available with practical experience in nanosatellite technology.

The definition of all space systems starts with the establishment of its fundamental parameters: requirements to be fulfilled, overall system and satellite design, analysis and design of the critical elements, developmental approach, cost, and schedule. There are only a few texts covering early design of space systems and none of them has been specifically dedicated to it. Furthermore all existing space engineering books concentrate on analysis. None of them deal with space system synthesis – with the interrelations between all the elements of the space system. Introduction to Space Systems concentrates on understanding the interaction between all the forces, both technical and non-technical, which influence the definition of a space system. This book refers to the entire system: space and ground segments, mission objectives as well as to cost, risk, and mission success probabilities. Introduction to Space Systems is divided into two parts. The first part analyzes the process of space system design in an abstract way. The second part of the book focuses on concrete aspects of the space system design process. It concentrates on interactions between design decisions and uses past design examples to illustrate these interactions. The idea is for the reader to acquire a good insight in what is a good design by analyzing these past designs.

Designing satellite structures poses an ongoing challenge as the interaction between analysis, experimental testing, and manufacturing phases is underdeveloped. Finite Element Analysis for Satellite Structures: Applications to Their Design, Manufacture and Testing explains the theoretical and practical knowledge needed to perform design of satellite structures. By layering detailed practical discussions with fully developed examples, Finite Element Analysis for Satellite Structures: Applications to Their Design, Manufacture and Testing provides the missing link between theory and implementation. Computational examples cover all the major aspects of advanced analysis; including modal analysis, harmonic analysis, mechanical and thermal fatigue analysis using finite element method. Test cases are included to support explanations an a range of different manufacturing simulation techniques are described from riveting to shot peening to material cutting. Mechanical design of a satellites structures are covered in three steps: analysis step under design loads, experimental testing to verify design, and manufacturing. Stress engineers, lecturers, researchers and students will find Finite Element Analysis for Satellite Structures: Applications to Their Design, Manufacture and Testing a key guide on with practical instruction on applying manufacturing simulations to improve their design and reduce project cost, how to prepare static and dynamic test specifications, and how to use finite element method to investigate in more details any component that may fail during testing.

A Guide to Apply a Model-based Systems Engineering Approach with SysML to Specify and Architect Systems. This book provides a straightforward guide to develop an architecture model of aSmall Satellite using the Systems Modeling Language (SysML(r)). SysML is a general-purpose modeling language used to specify and architect systems. Model-based Systems Engineering (MBSE) is intended to produce an integratedsystem model using SysML which reflects multiple views of the system to specify theinteraction and interconnection of its components, and their functions, states,interfaces, and performance and physical characteristics. The system model canenhance quality, reuse, and shared understanding of the system. This book can be used by instructors and students to learn how to apply MBSE with SysML, as wellas practitioners of MBSE and organizations as a reference approach for their application.

An introduction to a powerful and flexible network modeling tool for developing and understanding complex systems, with many examples from a range of industries. Design structure matrix (DSM) is a straightforward and flexible modeling technique that can be used for designing, developing, and managing complex systems. DSM offers network modeling tools that represent the elements of a system and their interactions, thereby highlighting the system's architecture (or designed structure). Its advantages include compact format, visual nature, intuitive representation, powerful analytical capacity, and flexibility. Used primarily so far in the area of engineering management, DSM is increasingly being applied to complex issues in health care management, financial systems, public policy, natural sciences, and social systems. This book offers a clear and concise explanation of DSM methods for practitioners and researchers.