Space Systems Engineering is a crucial discipline within the space sector, and a keen understanding of what it is and how it is applied is critical in defining the success of any space mission – from a student-built CubeSat to a commercial communications satellite. Space System Engineers follow, and often lead, the space projects from conception to delivery, working with other disciplines to define user needs, define requirements, and shape the final design before supporting the project through the assembly, integration, and testing phase into operation. Space System Engineers at ESA and in industry are present at all stages of a space system's life cycle. They perform vital functions, ensuring what is delivered is what is required and, critically, handling the interface between many other project disciplines, including project management.
Trainer delivering a lecture on Complex Systems to university students
Trainer delivering a lecture on Complex Systems to university students
During the four days, participating students will learn about the background and challenges of Space Systems Engineering before delving into the roles of a Systems Engineer within ESA and exploring the System Engineering process in detail. The course will also give students valuable insight into the Concurrent Design and systems approach to Verification and Validation as well as the interactions with project management, including project planning and risk management. The course will also include several group exercises, aiming to familiarise participants with system engineering products and some real-world problems faced by space system engineers.
This third edition of this training course builds on the successful previous editions developed and delivered by the ESA Education Office in collaboration with ESA staff members who are currently working as Systems Engineers- on an array of high-profile ESA missions.
Preliminary schedule:
Day 1:
Scope and context of Systems Engineering
What is Systems Engineering?
How to represent a System
The Space Programmatic Environment
Tasks of a Systems Engineer
Day 2:
Systems Engineering Process
System Requirements
How to define the architecture of a system, including trade-offs and specification
Design of a space mission incl. concurrent engineering
Day 3:Design of a space mission incl. concurrent engineering (continued)
Development and Verification Approach
Day 4:
Project Management and Quality Management
Application of a real space project
Risk
Launch, Commissioning and Operations
