ITWF: Collaboration Through Agile Software Development Practices: A Means for Improvement in Quality & Retention of IT Worker

The objective of this project is to develop technologies that produce improvements in time to orbit, cost, and performance of U.S satellite systems. Through these efforts, the pre-eminence of the U.S. space industry can be regained. In order to accomplish this objective, the Center will perform multidisciplinary research in the areas of small satellite technologies. The Center will utilize a design-build-fly (DBF) philosophy (similar to that utilized by the UAV community) to accomplish rapid transitions from low technology readiness levels to actual flight test. The emphasis will be on small satellite systems (particularly pico and nano-class) because they (i) provide rapid access to space, (ii) are technology drivers (mass, volume, power constraints) and (iii) are economically feasible. Broader impact: To be good stewards of our space environment, the ASTREC is cognizant of [WE2]the potential impact of its DBF approach to the problems of space debris. In this regards, it is expected that one of the first demonstrators to be developed and evaluated by ASTREC will address on-orbit services such as debris removal though autonomous rendezvous and docking. Furthermore, it is imperative that this recovery capability becomes routine to the space industry, otherwise the community will not migrate towards Risk Tolerance because of the fear failure. However, with a capability for recovery, the fear of failure can be reduced, and in fact, the lessons learned from the failure can be utilized in a positive manner to develop a better product.