Document Information
The Cosmos on a Shoestring
Small Spacecraft for Space and Earth Science
Small spacecraft have become popular for a number of reasons, most prominently the needs to reduce overall cost, be built more quickly, and spread mission risks. NASA has been challenged with crafting a program that continues to produce meaningful science within the constraints of the available budget. Still, pound for pound, small spacecraft are not precisely inexpensive, given the effects of complexity, launch costs, and a greater degree of risk. Historically, science spacecraft have demonstrated increasing reliability, but this trend might not continue, given the shift to managed risk. There is generally less money available to smaller programs to test spacecraft functions and operational procedures prior to launch. Small spacecraft are also generally less robust. Efforts to reduce failure potentials through the application of more reliable components, better testing, and advanced design techniques should receive greater attention. Despite the risks, however, small spacecraft fulfill important roles in earth science, astrophysics, space physics, and planetary science. NASA's current generation of small spacecraft is capable of impressive levels of performance.
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Paperback Cover Price: $15.00
Discounted Web Price: $13.50
Pages: 221
ISBN/EAN: 0-8330-2528-7
Contents
Preface PDF
Figures PDF
Tables PDF
Summary PDF
Acknowledgments PDF
Glossary PDF
Chapter One:
Introduction PDF
Chapter Two:
Small Spacecraft in the Civil Space Program PDF
Chapter Three:
Meeting National Objectives with Fewer Resources PDF
Chapter Four:
Advanced Technology for Small Spacecraft PDF
Chapter Five:
Process Improvement and Risk Management PDF
Chapter Six:
Evaluating Small Spacecraft Missions PDF
Chapter Seven:
Conclusions and Recommendations PDF
Appendix A:
Spacecraft Cost Comparisons PDF
Appendix B:
Failure in Spacecraft Systems PDF
Appendix C:
Testing for Reliability in Space Systems PDF
Appendix D:
High Reliability Systems PDF
Appendix E:
New Approaches to Spacecraft Design PDF
Appendix F:
Small Spacecraft World Wide Web Links HTML
Bibliography PDF
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