Maturity Assessment of Space Plug-and-Play Architecture

Abstract

Space Plug-and-Play Architecture (SPA), as defined by the SPA subject matter experts, is a spacecraft development architecture that includes technology and standards developed to facilitate simplified design, assembly, and test of spacecraft systems using modular components to reduce spacecraft development cost and schedule. There is a need to assess the maturity of SPA to determine its benefits and return on investment. SPA, being a system and a combination of technology and standards, poses challenges for the maturity assessment. In this thesis, the author presents the methodologies to assess the maturity of SPA, using the existing Technology Readiness Level (TRL) process for technology and developing new process for the standards. The TRL process is applied to the technology components and the SPA system. The proposed process for assessing the maturity of the product development standards is similar to the TRL process, but tailored for applicability to standards. The methodology for assessing the maturity of SPA standards is based on the premises of what was done and under what conditions. Applying these methodologies to assess the maturity of SPA gives a complete picture of the status of SPA development, which is used to estimate the cost to reach full maturity with more accuracy.