Component - Based Systems Engineering for Autonomous Spacecraft

The development of modem spacecraft is a challenging endeavor, especially in light of the increasing complexity of today's technology and ambitious mission goals, despite recent budget and personnel cutbacks. A new approach to spacecraft development that addresses many of the current issues facing the aerospace industry is described. The technique, called Component-Based Systems Engineering, is built upon a systems engineering development environment known as SpecTRM. An example of Component-Based Systems Engineering as applied to a series of autonomous spacecraft known as SPHERES is provided. Simulations of both oneand two-Sphere configurations are performed to illustrate not only the usefulness of the technique but also the benefits that Component-Based Systems Engineering provides. Thesis Supervisor: Dr. Nancy G. Leveson Professor of Aeronautics and Astronautics