Space Systems

The Pentagon this week issued a memo that updates Defense Department space systems acquisition policy.

Here's an excerpt outlining the technology development phase:

1. TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT PHASE

a. Technology Development Strategy (TDS) - Additional Considerations. In addition to the requirements in subparagraph 5.c.(7) of Enclosure 2 of Reference (c), the TDS for space systems shall detail the acquisition strategy and contracting approach to be employed for the development of pertinent technologies for each phase of the program lifecycle.

b. Systems Engineering Plan (SEP) - Additional Considerations. In addition to the requirements in subparagraph 5.d.(5) of Enclosure 2 of Reference (c), the SEP for space systems shall:

(1) Emphasize the space system's integration with other existing and approved future architectures and capabilities.

(2) Include mission assurance (MA) planning. MA is a description of those activities undertaken to ensure that space systems operate properly once launched into orbit, since retrieval for repair is impractical.

c. System Design Review (SDR). During the technology development phase, space system Program Managers shall conduct an SDR to ensure that the system's functional baseline is established and that the system has a reasonable expectation of satisfying the requirement of the initial capabilities document (ICD) within the currently allocated budget and schedule. It completes the process of defining the items or elements below system level. This review accesses the decomposition of the system specification to system functional specifications. The SDR determines whether the system's functional definition is fully decomposed and that the program is prepared to begin preliminary design.

d. Post-System Design Review Assessment (P-SDRA). The MDA shall conduct a formal program assessment following the SDR for space systems. The SDR provides an opportunity to assess satisfaction of user needs through functional decomposition and traceability of requirements from the ICD to the contractor’s functional baseline and system specification. An IPA shall be provided to support the P-SDRA.

(1) Space system program managers shall provide a post-SDR report to the MDA reflecting an overall assessment of design maturity and a summary of the system-level SDR results. The post-SDR report shall include an independent vulnerability assessment and an orbital debris mitigation risk report. The orbital debris mitigation risk report will include an assessment of debris generation risk during launch, on-orbit operations, and end-of-life disposal, and shall assess compliance with the U.S. Government Orbital Debris Mitigation Standard Practices (Reference (d)).

(2) The MDA shall review the post-SDR report and the program manager’s resolution and/or mitigation plans, and determine whether additional action is necessary to achieve technology development phase objectives and satisfy the capability need specified in the ICD. The results of the MDA’s post-SDR assessment shall be documented in an Acquisition Decision Memorandum and include the MDA’s determination to proceed with technology development.

(3) Additional guidance and expectations will be provided in the Defense Acquisition Guidebook (Reference (e)).

View the full memo.

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