Decision Support System Application for Eco-Technical System Evaluation and Design

Space system design begins with mission objectives and constraints and then proceeds to the definition of a system, which will meet those objectives at the lowest possible cost. The complexity of design of any advanced system is driven by the lack of knowledge about future system parameters and uncertainty in mission objectives. It is important for the designer to be able to conduct preliminary analysis and evaluation of available alternative technologies and systems without finalized parameters. However it is very difficult for a designer to perform a valid evaluation using multiple criteria and selecting from multiple technologies.

Present techniques for evaluation use a single criterion approach based on equivalent system mass metric. The conversion coefficients that represent power, volume, crew time, etc. in equivalent mass units are rather subjective and questionable.

The purpose of this paper is to show that there is a less subjective technique available that uses decision-making support systems to allow a designer to make a valid decision about future system using a set of multiple criteria, representing system costs and benefits both quantitative and qualitative. This technique will account for uncertainty in information based on system technical readiness level. Different risk level scenarios will also be considered, where the designer would be able to evaluate future system based on the approach he/she is willing to take.