Sustainability in System Architectures through Rec...

Abstract

Traditionally, space systems have been built for pre-defined missions, fixed requirements, and optimized for highest performance. Sustainable system architectures however need to be affordable, ensure delivery of value, minimize failure risk, and adapt to new requirements. Reconfigurability in systems can be a means for achieving these desirable characteristics. Currently, there is no formal methodology for studying reconfigurability issues in system architecture and design. This paper presents such a methodology and investigates how reconfigurability can be a means for reducing cost and mitigating risk. As a specific case study, reconfigurable planetary surface vehicles for human exploration of Moon and Mars are analyzed. It is assumed that reconfigurability is primarily desired in the system to maximize value through multi-functionality (and thereby reduce total mass required to be transported to planetary surface). It is found that for the specific case study analyzed, the mass savings due to reconfigurability in a fleet of vehicles can be on the order of 35% while risk of non-performance can be reduced to 1%. The cost of reconfiguration however goes up with increasing reconfigurability in the system.