Project phases

Question 1

Phase 0:

Answer 1

Mission analysis/identification of requirements.

main outputs:
identification and characterization of…
• the proposed mission,
• user needs and expected performance
• mission constraints,
• definition of possible system concepts
• first assessment of project management (organisation, costs, schedules).

Question 2

Phase A:

Answer 2

Feasibility phase:
Refinement (genauer definieren) of the needs expressed in phase 0.

main outputs:
• Critical mission elements, quantity and type
• Function tree of the mission,
• Evaluation various possible system concepts
• Determination of uncertainty and mission risks
• Discussion of the technical and industrial feasibility

At end: Preliminary Requirements Review (PRR) -> system concept selection

Question 3

Phase B:

Answer 3

Preliminary design of the mission

Main tasks:
• Selection of technical solutions for the system concept
• Precise and coherent definition (performance levels, costs, schedules) at every level
• Product tree and products specifications,
• Identification of ‘Make or buy’ alternatives,
• Confirmation of the feasibility of the proposed solution
• Definition of mission risks and fall back options
• Assessment of manufacturing, production and operating costs
• Reliability and safety assessment,

At end: Preliminary Design Review (PDR)

Question 4

Phase C:

Answer 4

Detailed design of the mission

main issues:
• Detailed definition and detailed design of the system and its components,
• Final ‘make or buy’ decision for the products,
• Confirmation of the set-up, test and qualification conditions,
• Final definition of the methods and means of production and verification,
• Procurement of the Production Master File,
• Production of the first models of the system,
• Development of interfaces within the configuration
• Preparation of phase E activities.

phase results in acceptance of Production Master File

Question 5

Phase D:

Answer 5

Production and ground qualification testing

Phase D is the end of the system development.

goal at end: Production Master File and operational documentation

main objects:
• a qualified definition of the products, components and the system itself
• production of material, software and components
• confirmation and qualification of methods, procedures, production and verification
• manufacture, assembly, integration and verification, to conduct the Qualification Reviews,
• Ground qualification testing (design qualification and operational qualification).

end: Acceptance Review (AR), which comprises all mission elements.

Question 6

Phase E

Answer 6

Utilisation phase

• launch campaign
• launch and in-flight acceptance of the satellites,
• operation and maintenance of the system.

Is often divided into two sub-phases:
• sub-phase E1: overall test and commissioning phase of the system
• sub-phase E2: utilisation phase itself

Question 7

Phase F:

Answer 7

• covers all events from the end-of-life till final disposal of the product
• protected space regions beachten
• European Code of Conduct for Space Debris Mitigation: max. 25 jahre nach missionsende weg

This can be achieved by:

1. direct re-entry of the space system (aktiv)
2. limiting the orbital lifetime to less than 25 years after operational phase (passiv)
3. transferring the space system to a graveyard orbit