Parametric Study of Environmental Testing in Satellite Manufacturing

Abstract

Low Earth Orbit Satellite constellations have begun to provide consumers with internet access in remote and under-served areas. Firms have begun to manufacture satellites at a higher rate than ever seen before in the aerospace industry. These satellites require environmental qualification testing to meet the standards required to launch and operate in space. For a new product, it is unclear how much testing capability will be necessary. This paper will provide an in-depth look at efforts to estimate the correct capital expenditure for the purposes of environmental testing for satellite manufacturing. It uses uncertainty analysis and parametric studies to compare options for precision manufacturing in an unknown field of production. The study finds that testing machine requirements vary through different periods of production, challenging the producer to purchase more capacity than will ultimately be necessary. These results highlight the need to develop failure rate predictions at the lowest component level to accurately assess testing requirements for the overall system.