NPS TINYSCOPE Program Management

Abstract

This master's thesis introduces the program management and concept of operations of the TINYSCOPE Program. TINYSCOPE is a 6U CubeSat designed as a low-cost and easily replaceable imaging spacecraft that can produce tactically relevant imagery data. Tactical requirements in this context would emphasize "good enough" image resolution with a rapid-response tasking loop and high revisit rate. The TINYSCOPE project intends to demonstrate the utility of small, risk tolerant spacecraft for tactical imagery. The program management section of the thesis discusses the relationships of cost, performance, risk, and schedule and the impact of each on the program. The program's successes and failures are examined to glean lessons for future program managers of university projects. The remainder of the thesis develops a comprehensive concept of operations for the prototype spacecraft. Areas of discussion include overviews of the ground, space and launch segments of the mission architecture, and proposed conduct of operations for those segments. Finally, relevant program management and systems engineering documentation are presented as appendices.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Sep 01, 2010
Accession Number
ADA531645

Entities

People

  • Christopher G. Turner

Organizations

  • Naval Postgraduate School

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Air Force Facilities
  • Artificial Satellites
  • Cameras
  • Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductors
  • Control Systems
  • Measurement
  • Nanosatellites
  • Photographs
  • Satellite Buses
  • Solar Panels
  • Space Systems
  • Spacecraft
  • Spacecraft Orbits
  • Systems Engineering
  • Test And Evaluation
  • Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

Fields of Study

  • Computer science

Readers

  • Missile Defense Systems.
  • Software Engineering
  • Systems Analysis and Design

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Satellites