This text describes the relationship between mission opera- tions and the other elements of the space mission. It defines the process that translates mission objectives and requirements into a viable mission operations concept. It describes how interplanetary, international, microsatellite, and crewed missions operate.

Cost-Effective Space Mission Operations, Second Edition describes the relationship between mission operations and the other elements of the space mission as well as specific operations tasks. This book defines a process that helps the mission operations manager translate mission objectives and requirements into a viable mission operations concept. The mission operations manager must develop this operations concept early enough, during concept exploration, so that the project manager can trade the future cost of operations against current development costs. Written for professionals and students involved in systems engineering and operations in space, this book is valuable for program managers, mission operations managers, spacecraft engineers and designers, project scientists and operators. Cost-Effective Space Mission Operations includes detailed descriptions of thirteen mission operations functions, provides a process for developing a mission operations concept, and describes a model for evaluating the cost and complexity of an operations system. The book also covers how to conduct routine, launch and early-orbit, and special operations, as well as how to operate interplanetary, international, microsatellite, and crewed missions.

Reducing Space Mission Cost is the first complete treatment of the technology, process, and problems in the most critical areas of modern spaceflight. The demand to reduce cost is unrelenting. This pioneering book addresses all aspects of this problem, including: Technology and processes for reducing cost Cost reduction in mission engineering, spacecraft design, manufacture, launch, and operations Implementation methods and problems The price of reducing cost 10 detailed case studies of what works in practice in: Science missions Interplanetary probes Communications spacecraft Test and Applications missions Beginning on the inside front cover, this book provides real cost data on a variety of missions, systems, and subsystems. According to the authors: `Reducing mission cost is hard enough if you know what the real costs are, and virtually impossible if you don't.' This book challenges traditional methods, yet recognizes that all space programs are run to minimize cost within the rules under which they are built and flown. It provides practical recipes for reducing cost in both new and ongoing missions and discusses what works, what government can do to help, and what methods intended to reduce cost may be counterproductive and unintentionally increase cost. As shown on the inside rear cover, the case studies described in the book have reduced total mission cost by 80% to more than 90% with respect to projections by traditional cost methods. This book is a follow-on to the now standard text and reference, Space Mission Analysis and Design, also edited by Drs. Wertz and Larson. It is required reading for professionals, students, and managers in astronautics or space sciences and managers or scientists involved in space experiments. This book shows that reducing space mission cost, without reducing reliability, is as possible as it is important for the future of space exploration.

It is within the means of many nations to conduct or participate in cost-effective Earth observation missions. This study provides a definition of cost-effective Earth observation missions and information about background material and organizational support. It discusses cost drivers and provides advice on achieving cost-effective missions and discusses training and education. The conclusions and recommendations range from more general factors, which drive the small satellite mission activities, to visions of future cost-effective Earth observation missions. Complementary to large complex missions, small satellite missions have specific advantages: more frequent missions opportunities and therefore faster return of science and application data, a larger variety of missions and greater diversification of potential users; more rapid expansion of the technical and/or scientific knowledge base; greater involvement of local and small industry. This volume will prove to be a useful source of information to governments, space agencies, academia, and industry.