Evolution of Model-Based System Engineering Methodologies for the Design of Space Systems in the Advanced Stages of the Project (Phases B-C)

The main topic of the present work is addressed to the evaluation of the possible improvements that can be achieved with the integration of Model Based System Engineering Methodologies in the advanced phases of space project. In particular a model based approach will be proposed for two main aspects directly affecting the design phases of complex systems. The first one is represented by the management of design options that becomes difficult to monitor as the project proceeds, increasing the amount of data to take into consideration. The other one is represented by the integration between Multidisciplinary Design Optimization (MDO) techniques and a Model Based System Engineering (MBSE) environment. The aim of the research activity concerns the feasibility of such connection in order to assess actual advantages and possible drawbacks. In this last case the objective is to show how the Multidisciplinary Design Optimization (MDO) methods may be managed in the context of a MBSE environment with respect to the traditional design approach. In particular this analysis is addressed to the demonstration of the benefits of MBSE methodology and MDO techniques considering a space system reference case. In the first part of the thesis a briefly description of the problem statement is introduced to better explain the subjects of the following chapters. In particular the reasons and the related purposes that have animated this work are considered. In the next sec..on the state of the art about the considered approach is presented, providing a background for the following activities. In this context a wider analysis of the motivations and thesis objectives is considered. The following chapters deals with the survey and critical assessment of the main work related to this thesis. The analysis, design and implementation of the proposed framework are considered in the next sections. At the end of this part the results obtained are presented without arguing about the related benefits or drawbacks, which are considered in the following. A critical assessment of the results is then presented, analyzing the main contributions and related disadvantages with respect to the current approaches. In the next sec..on the incoming activities and further developments are presented. The final part concerns at last the summary conclusions of the work done.