Intersatellite Communication: An MBSE Operational Concept for a Multiorbit Disaggregated System

Abstract

Operational concept (OpsCon) development is a key activity performed during the conceptual phase of system development. Presently, most OpsCon documentation captures the system operations in a text-based format. Applying model-based systems engineering (MBSE) principles to OpsCon development will accomplish the goal of having a model serve as the single source of truth, enabling traceability of the system design back to stakeholder needs and goals. Presented in this work is an MBSE OpsCon for an intersatellite communication (ISC) system utilizing visible light, deployed in a multiorbit disaggregated system. The OpsCon model provides a high-level visualization of the operational capability of the ISC system. We specify use cases, operational scenarios, system context, high-level behavior, and measurements of effectiveness in a system model using systems modeling language.