MBSE Methodology Applied for a Technology Demonstrator in the Space Transportation Sector

Abstract

Over the last 40 years, NASA has sponsored many technology development programs for composite cryogenic tanks (CCT) in order to improve space launchers’ performance. However, they have learned certain lessons in terms of risk mitigation, design failures, lack of technology maturation and time constraints during development phases that push to reinforce the systems engineering perspective given the number of new functions, components and subsystems involved in these CCTs performance. The present paper suggests a Model‐Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) methodology to reduce the challenges that CCTs entail in a technology demonstrator program currently in a conceptual phase for the Ariane 6 upper stage. Topics such as a strong operational analysis; project instability; a Fully Integrated Operational System (FIOS) model combined with a Manufacturing, Assembly, Integration & Test (MAIT) model; requirements traceability; and model navigability issues are studied throughout the modelling process. Results from this approach show and ease the way to obtain information in a complex and large model intended to simulate our System of Interest (SoI)/CCTs life cycle. Consequently, CCTs can face NASA's aforementioned lessons learned from an early phase of the project in order to prevent similar adverse situations.

MBSE adoption experiences in organizations: Lessons learned

“…27,28 Traceability Integration is reported to be necessary in order to provide end-to-end traceability throughout a system that is housed over multiple tools/models/networks. 1,16,34,[40][41][42]47 The use of a table, matrix, or other representations of requirement traceability assists in managing requirements and system changes, 53,62 MBSE tools may provide this capability. 31,38,47 Traditional SE artifacts There needs to be a way to extract "traditional SE artifacts" from models because not all stakeholders will be able to/want to engage with the model as a decision-making tool.…”

Developing a Model Based Systems Engineering Architecture for Defense Wearable Technology

“…A paper-based process is dependent on everyone involved keeping documents that are related to the development of the system up-to-date and consistent, whereas the relational database used in MBSE allows for a change to the model to ripple through all aspects of the system requirements and design. Traditionally, MBSE employs this relational database to provide traceability between structures, behaviors, and requirements for complex systems and enterprises (Papke 2020(Papke , p. 1540Llano 2020Llano , p. 1475. However, the complex relationships that are represented in the database also allow for using MBSE tools in innovative ways.…”