Design and Implementation Methods

A space project goes through several phases during its life cycle:

  • Definition
  • Development
  • Production
  • Verification
  • Operational Phase
  • and Disposal

The realisation of space projects, be it launch vehicles, orbiting satellites or exploration rovers, involves numerous technical and methodological challenges.

While the first focuses primarily on technical issues, such as improving the system's ability to better meet its operational and/or scientific requirements, the second question is as follows:

How can development processes be improved? How can errors be avoided?

Answering these questions requires experience and knowledge about the realisation of such projects. One of the key elements of the Institute is therefore the end-to-end ("initiate, plan, execute, control and finalise") implementation of space projects. This core process makes it possible to identify, evaluate and improve the effects of the individual subsystems and to further optimise the performance of the overall spacecraft system. The Institute attaches great importance to the continuous optimisation of this core process. In this context, advancing digitalisation in the various areas of science, administration and industry plays a decisive role in optimising the life cycle of a space system.

Background Information

Contact

Prof. Dr. Andreas Rittweger

Institute Director
German Aerospace Center (DLR)
Institute of Space Systems
Robert-Hooke-Str. 7, 28359 Bremen