A Step Closer to Model Based System Engineering: Advanced IT Support Tools for Concurrent Preliminary Design of Space Projects

This paper aims to show how it is possible to blend a Tool Chain approach with a Model Based Engineering Environment approach during preliminary phases of a space project. Attention is not focused on the whole spacecraft lifecycle but on a preliminary phase that is very helpful in itself to test methodology, technologies and processes. This blended model may allow for cost reduction and reduced development times along the supply chain whereas there are heterogeneous IT systems and tools. The aim of this work has been to make engineering data exchange among different engineering groups easier whilst guaranteeing compliancy to a common spacecraft data model.

This methodology has been applied to a test case comprising the preliminary design of a Pressurized Lunar Rover (PLR).