1.1.2 Ground Data System Risk Mitigation Techniques for Faster, Better, Cheaper Missions1

Abstract

AbstractWith the advent of faster, better, and cheaper missions, NASA Projects acknowledged that a higher level of risk was inherent and acceptable with this approach. It was incumbent however upon each component of the Project, whether spacecraft, payload, launch vehicle or ground data system, to ensure that the mission would nevertheless be an unqualified success.The Small Explorer (SMEX) program's ground data system (GDS) team developed risk mitigation techniques to achieve these goals starting in 1989. These approaches have developed through the SMEX series of missions and are practiced today under the Triana program. These techniques are: Mission Team Organization – Empowerment of a close‐knit ground data system team comprising system engineering, software engineering, testing, and flight operations personnel, Common Spacecraft Test & Operational Control System – Utilization of the pre‐launch spacecraft integration system as the post‐launch ground data system on‐orbit command and control system, Utilization of operations personnel in pre‐launch testing – Making the flight operations team an integrated member of the spacecraft testing activities at the beginning of the spacecraft fabrication phase, Consolidated Test Team – Combining system, mission readiness and operations testing to optimize test opportunities with the ground system and spacecraft, and Reuse of Spacecraft, Systems, Standards, and People – Obtaining greater efficiencies through reuse of common spacecraft components, flight and ground‐based subsystems, standardized interfaces, and project team personnel. The SMEX ground system development approach for faster, better, and cheaper missions has been very successful. This paper will discuss these risk management techniques in the areas of ground data system design, implementation, test and operational readiness.