Cross-Industry Characterization of Spacecraft Integration and Test Discrepancies: Transforming Discrepancies into Product Development Improvements

Abstract

This paper presents the results of cross-sector benchmarking research on discrepancies encountered during spacecraft system-level integration and test. Analysis results demonstrate which subsystems have the highest occurrence of discrepancies, which integration and test environments precipitate the greatest number of discrepancies, and what the leading causes are of discrepancies. In addition, the paper presents cost data for spacecraft discrepancies, and concludes with a discussion of important factors to consider in evaluating the cost-benefit trade of upstream preventative investment to avoid problems before they occur versus downstream reactive measures after problems occur.