Date of Award

6-18-2015

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Department of Systems Engineering and Management

First Advisor

John Colombi, PhD.

Abstract

Optimal design techniques have proven to be an effective systems engineering tool. Using systems architecture as the foundation, this research explores the use of mixed variable optimization models for synthesizing and evaluating disaggregated space system concepts. Model-based conceptual design techniques are used to identify and assess system architectures based upon estimated system cost, performance trades, and cost risk. The Disaggregated Integral System Concept Optimization (DISCO) methodology is introduced, and then applied to representative space-based missions. Several results are obtained that indicate significant cost effectiveness gains from the optimization of multi-orbit and multi-function/multi-orbit disaggregated space systems. The general methodology has broad applicability for model-based conceptual design (MBCD) of many system types, but is particularly useful for dynamic disaggregated space systems.

AFIT Designator

AFIT-ENV-DS-15-J-062

DTIC Accession Number

ADA621764

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