Spacecraft Avionics Systems Design and Applications

Course Summary

This course offers a detailed look at basic spacecraft avionics systems engineering and design processes and principals. All spacecraft avionics systems are similar, but not all the same.  This course addresses the up-front systems engineering process; requirement levels, trade studies, requirements allocation/linking requirements derivation, requirements verification, risk and risk assessment, safety, integration and test, costing, scheduling, and then applying all this to the avionics subsystem level design on a subsystem-by-subsystem basis.  Attendees will be exposed to avionics subsystem designs that are utilized on satellite buses.  You will understand the terms, nomenclature, and rules of thumb used in the development process.  Each avionics subsystem is explained in detail to gain insight into manpower and cost requirements. In addition to spacecraft avionics equipment, the design, fabrication, and qualification of the electrical ground support equipment required for satellites are discussed in detail

Course Materials

Each attendee will receive a printed copy of the PowerPoint presentation.

Who Should Attend

Space, Spacecraft, and Launch Vehicle Systems Engineers, Avionics Subsystem Designers, Managers, Business Development personnel, System Safety Engineers, Risk Engineers and Managers, Electrical Ground Support Equipment Engineers, Integration and Test Engineers, and Environmental Test Engineers.

What You Will Learn

Applying the systems engineering process and principles to the system level design, developing the overall and subsystem architectures and then down into each of the Avionics Subsystems.  How the systems engineering process is applied to evaluate and determine the risks, safety, and trade studies to the requirements derivation process, subsystem design, and then requirements verification.

Course Outline

1. Definitions.
   Principal definitions of spacecraft and subsystems.
2. Systems Engineering Process.
   Explore the classic systems engineering “V” process and how it is applied at the spacecraft avionics systems and subsystem levels.
3. Systems Requirements.
   Requirements management, requirements derivation, requirements verification, allocating requirements down and linking requirements up.
4. Mission Assurance.
   Correlation of the radiation environment, radiation analysis, risk and safety assessment to the importance of system and subsystem architectures and requirements.  Applying the classic systems engineering “V” process.
5. Scheduling.
   Understanding the scheduling process from the system to the subsystem level and how the correct allocation and linking lead to successful costing and programs.  Applying the classic systems engineering “V” process.
6. Costing.
   Understand how costing your activity is closely coupled to the scheduling, requirements, requirements derivation and verification process.  Applying the classic systems engineering “V” process.
7. System Architecture.
   How high-level trade studies, requirements, and verification process leads to a concise system level architecture that allows successful requirements allocation to subsystem level requirements, derivation and linking.  Applying the classic systems engineering “V” process.
8. Testing.
   Testing to lower level requirements leads to higher-level verification.  The overall test flow and pitfalls.  EGSE for board-to-system level testing.
9. Subsystem Level Architecture.
   In-depth subsystem level architecture for guidance, navigation and control, command and data handling, RF Communications, electrical power, and propulsion.

Instructor

GEORGE N. ANDREW

George Andrew has over 32 years of experience relating to satellite, instrument and launch vehicle avionics design, manufacturing and testing.

In addition, Mr. Andrew has extensive mission and systems engineering, and program/project management experience.  He has consulted with start-up launch vehicle and spacecraft companies, managing the flight and ground hardware/software design, development, test, and launch.  Mr. Andrew has been the program/project manager for several spacecraft program contracts and the Avionics Department Manager for two start-up launch vehicles. He is currently supporting the NASA Earth Science Program Office in the Program Systems Engineering office.

Mr. Andrew is President of GNA Aerospace Consulting Group and is an Associate Fellow within the AIAA.