Scalable system architecture for CubeSat test & evaluation for enhanced mission success

Abstract

CubeSats, as small, low-cost satellites, are the next generation of uncrewed space missions, however, the failure rate of University-class CubeSats is high. The failure rate is a major drawback to relying on CubeSats for scientific exploration of the universe. This research aims to develop a scalable system architecture for CubeSat Test and Evaluation to improve the success rate of CubeSat missions. The research started with a literature review on the topics of Systems Architecture, Test and Evaluation, and CubeSats, and finally closed in on past published literature relating to CubeSat Test and Evaluation systems. The literature identified a gap in the research around scalable system architectures for CubeSat Test and Evaluation and the remainder of this paper closed the gap in previous research. After completing the literature review, the basis for the systems architecture for CubeSat missions and CubeSat systems was developed. The initial basis provided a framework for further discussion on CubeSat Test and Evaluation systems architecture. Next, a survey was conducted of CubeSat Engineers and Engineering Students to ascertain current philosophies towards CubeSat Test and Evaluation. After completing the survey, a time study was conducted on a CubeSat simulator to gather real-life data on the amount of time required to conduct test and evaluation on a CubeSat. Next, a simulation was run to determine the probability of mission failure depending on what type of CubeSat was tested. Finally, the results of the research were plotted on a Pareto diagram where a Pareto front identified the optimal spread of tests on prototype, engineering qualification model, and full flight model CubeSats. Sensitivity analysis was performed, comparing the original optimized solution with four alternates with different inputs. The next step of the research was to use the collected data to develop the scalable systems architecture for CubeSat Test and Evaluation. This was accomplished via a series of model-based systems engineering drawings and diagrams. The final step of the research was to identify four previous satellite development projects that experienced mission failure and apply the scalable systems architecture to those projects to determine if the application of the proposed systems architecture would result in improved mission success. The results showed that in some but not all cases the proposed systems architecture would have improved the success of the mission. Finally, suggestions for future work are presented which included formalized requirements idealization, conducting time studies of testing on actual CubeSats, and extending the research to other industries such as railroad testing, aircraft certification testing, and nuclear submarine testing.