A Theoretical Assessment of Standardization in the Satellite Upstream Value Chain

Abstract

A study conducted by Bryce Space and Technology on the quantification and cause-mapping of launch delays of small satellites revealed that all 1,078 small satellites launched commercially in the past five years had suffered launch delays. The study attributed the primary reasons for this delay to schedule slippages of launches and the primary satellite. Such delays are a huge financial drain for the small satellite manufacturers. As a critical step toward addressing such problems by streamlining the supply chain and imparting the elements of interoperability and cross-compatibility, there are renewed calls for extending the scope of standardization of satellites—sizes, interface, and other aspects—from the currently existing CubeSat standards (CDS) to cover larger small satellites up to 500 kg. There are several initiatives such as Launch U by Aerospace Corporation, for example, aiming at addressing this area. In this context, the article tries to assess standardization through several strategic frameworks such as the Transaction asset model, Kraljic matrix, and Project planning model to identify the positive effects of standardization and also the negatives to impress on the need to define a proper extent until which standardization can be allowed to happen.