Course: ENG PHYS 3SP3 - Space Systems Engineering
Date: Wednesday, Sept 4th, 2024
Institution: McMaster University, Engineering Physics
Name: Liam Flannigan
Position: Ph.D. Candidate, McMaster University
Research Work: Ground-to-satellite transmitter and receiver development using nonlinear optics
Experience: Affinite Instruments, Canadian Space Agency, Canadian Nuclear Laboratories, worked on McMaster’s first CubeSat.
Prior experience lacked exposure to 'real' engineering.
Doctorate experience with CSA and MDA led to interest in Systems Engineering.
ENG PHYS 3SP3 serves as an introduction to space systems engineering and essential topics for complete space missions.
Worked on PRISMA satellite at CSA focused on hyperspectral imaging.
Noteworthy interaction with various stakeholders such as government bodies, academia, and taxpayers.
Managed technical requirements for a subsystem amidst larger projects.
Importance of meeting strict requirements and validation at each step.
Big Picture Awareness: Your work contributes to a larger solution.
Requirements Importance: Requirements guide engineering processes.
Verification Necessity: Prove functionality from the beginning, not as an afterthought.
Systems Engineering Introduction
Requirements Engineering, Verification, and Validation
Launch Environment/Thermal
Satellite Systems and Interfaces
Orbital Mechanics
Satellite Communications
Spacecraft Dynamics
Satellite Attitude and Orbit Control Systems
Earth Observation/Remote Sensing
James Webb Space Telescope
Grasp key concepts in systems engineering for space systems.
Understand the process from stakeholder needs to functioning system.
Valuable for future capstone projects and satellite operation knowledge.
NASA Systems Engineering Handbook Rev2 - Available online.
NASA Systems Engineering Course Material - Additional online materials to be posted.
Applied Space Systems Engineering (2009)
Spacecraft Systems Engineering (2011)
Orbital Mechanics for Engineering Students (2013)
Space Mission Engineering: The New SMAD (2011)
One lecture weekly: Wednesdays 7:00 - 10:00 PM.
In-person only, no recorded sessions; materials posted on A2L.
Regular assignments are the primary assessment metric.
Homework: 65% - Weekly, dropped lowest score for grading.
Final Exam: 35% - In-person, specific contents reviewed in advance.
MSAF for homework counts as one ungraded assignment.
Other missed work without valid reasons results in a grade of 0%.
Contact faculty for long-term absence considerations.
What is a System?
What is Systems Engineering?
Overview of NASA Project Life Cycle.
Delves into various concepts and definitions related to systems and engineering.
Focus on open, man-made physical systems including:
Power Systems
Transportation Systems
Communications Systems
Space Systems
Definition: Combination of interacting elements to achieve a purpose.
System Boundary: Separates system of interest from external environment.
Provides solutions to defined problems or needs.
Starts with a clearly defined mission by the customer.
Systems engineering translates stakeholder needs into technical language.
A car as a system combines various subsystems for personal transportation.
Interacts within an established transportation framework.
Interaction with users, infrastructure, and conditions (traffic, weather, etc.).
Formula 1 car vs. sedan demonstrates different operational needs and constraints.
Functional: Describes what the system does.
Physical: Describes how the system is implemented.
A car operates as a complete system; an engine serves as a subsystem that requires others for function.
Functions include safety, propulsion, and cargo management, among others.
Breakdown into subsystems and further detail components (e.g., engine, transmission).
Systems are engineered to meet imposed constraints.
Systems engineering expands definition beyond final product to include total operational requirement.
Includes more than hardware/software; also involves development, support, and operational products.
A car is part of a more comprehensive automotive system for effective production and operation.
Progresses from conception through realization and utilization to retirement.
Conceptualization: Identify market demands.
Realization: Design and produce.
Utilization: Sales and maintenance.
Retirement: End of life considerations.
Definition, operational environment interaction, mission-focused purpose, lifecycle phases, and interrelated elements.
Exploration of systems engineering's relevance to comprehensive design management.
Combination of technical problem-solving and management across the system lifecycle.
Top-down design approach incorporating stakeholder goals, requirements definition, and iterative evaluation.
Systems engineering vs. R&D, design engineering, and product development in focus and scope.
Overlap with project management aims to deliver quality systems by managing costs and schedules.
Early decisions influence costs; strong processes mitigate risks and enhance project success.
Reduces waste, ensures cohesive system integration, and enhances project effectiveness.
Emphasizes difficulty in starting design for complex, large projects without a structured approach.
Systems engineering should be adapted to project needs and complexity for effective application.
Timeline outlining phases, activities, and key decision points.
Overview of each phase from Concept Studies to Operations and Sustainment, including outcomes and reviews.
Importance of reviews and decision gates for project readiness in NASA's lifecycle framework.
Collaboration roles throughout lifecycle phases among systems engineering, management, and project management teams.
Focus on concept studies, stakeholder identification, and formulation of mission requirements.
Define groups interested in or affected by the project, including customers and other involved parties.
Importance of elucidating stakeholder expectations for guiding project direction.
Distinguishing between the organizational needs in the problem domain and potential solutions in the solution domain.
Clear differentiation among need (what the customer wants), goals (what needs to be accomplished), and objectives (specific target outputs that must be measurable).
Detailed needs, goals, and objectives for Canadian Arctic Shipping Monitoring System clearly stated.
Framework for judging system mission success from stakeholder perspectives, including specific measurable metrics.
Constraints that shape design and operational boundaries: technical, performance, resources, cost, and regulatory restrictions.
Outlines how a system will be used to achieve its objectives and captures stakeholder expectations.
Organized sections crucial to the document reflect stakeholders and project specifics.
Visual representation of operational components in system implementation for effective communication.
Use of charts and timelines to clarify mission and system scope.
Understanding how the system interacts with its operating environment and other stakeholders.
Detailed operation sequence from detection through monitoring and action process.
Formal capturing of mission requirements defining the capabilities and performance parameters needed.
Detailed examples that outline specific mission requirements for the CASMS project.
Development of system concepts, requirements, project planning, and trade studies.
Explanation of the iterative process for developing system concepts, architectures, and mission requirements.
Logical description of operations through a functional hierarchy.
Defines the organization of system elements and their functions through top-level structural design.
Diverse architectural examinations to ensure effectiveness in terms of feasibility and cost in CASMS.
Clearly defined system requirements as foundation for design and evaluation of operational capabilities.
System requirements derived from mission requirements through iterative communications with stakeholders.
Establish system design aligned with requirements and initiate prototyping efforts to mitigate risk.
Completion of comprehensive detailed designs, drawing documentation, and addressing outstanding design challenges.
Focuses on Assembly, Integration, Testing, and launch; crucial to prove system meeting all specified requirements.
Differentiates between proving compliance with requirements vs. meeting stakeholder expectations across the life cycle.
Lifecycle activities focusing on execution, maintenance, and continuous feedback during system operation.
Completes lifecycle with system retirement, lessons learned, and documentation for future projects.
Recap of the necessity for early systems engineering impacts and the value added during project planning stages.
Systems, engineering approach, stakeholder needs, phases and lifecycle importance highlighted throughout the lecture.
Description of system required, due next week via A2L, due September 11th, 11:59 PM. Facilitates understanding of system components and lifecycle.