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Lunch ʻn Learn

Dr. Wiley Larson


Director, Space Systems Engineering
School of Systems and Enterprises
Stevens Institute of Technology
wiley.larson@stevens.edu
+1 719 582 0111

Systems Engineers…What good are they?

• Background
• What is it?
• Behavioral characteristics of a good systems engineer
• What capabilities does a systems engineer need
• Learning to do systems engineering
• Examples
Academic Partner
• Suggested Reading
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Typical Descriptions…
• Manage processes—a good part, an enabler, but not enough
• Prepare the documents necessary for key project milestones—
poor
• Perform as the technical conscience of a project—nice but
generic
• Design, realize, and manage the creation, development, and
implementation of the system —reasonable
• Know the technical “red line” through the system; be able to
anticipate effects of changes throughout the system and
lifecycle—reasonable but limited
• Maintain the big-picture perspective, integrating all disciplines
—reasonable
• Maintain the projectʼs technical integrity, whatever it takes—
reasonable

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A Metaphor
• An orchestra conductor…
» knows music and understands issues like pitch, rhythm,
dynamics, sonic qualities as well as capabilities of
various instruments and musicians
» is required once the orchestra reaches a certain size
and complexity
» typically mastered one or more musical instruments
» may be a composer
» selects and shapes the music an orchestra plays
» interprets a composer's music in light of the audience
» often strives to maintain the integrity of the composer's
intent
» organizes and leads musicians playing different musical
instruments
22 Sep 08 » is responsible for the success of the performance
Lunch n Learn—Systems Engineers…What good are they?

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A Metaphor
• On the other hand, a systems engineer:
» understands fundamentals of mathematics, science and physics,
as well as capabilities of various people and disciplines
» is required once a project reaches a certain size and complexity
» mastered a technical discipline and has learned multiple
disciplines
» may architect or design systems
» selects and shapes the technical issues addressed by
multidisciplinary teams
» is often required to interpret and communicate objectives,
requirements, system architecture and design
» is responsible for the technical integrity of the design
» organizes and leads multi-discipline teams
» is responsible for successful delivery of a complex product or
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What is the scope of systems engineering?

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What are the behavioral characteristics of a
good systems engineer?

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Communications
• Systems engineers must be superb communicators

• Transmitter AND Receiver


• Must often communicate complex information in a
way that is easily understood by all

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What capabilities must a system engineer have?
Systems Engineering = Technical Leadership + Systems Management

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How do I improve my systems engineering skills?

• Systems management can be learned in class and enhanced with practice


• Technical leadership is best learned by doing—hands-on hardware/software
experience

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Systems Engineering Performance Levels

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Space System Engineering--

Dr. Wiley Larson


Distinguished Service Professor
Director of Space System Engineering
School of Systems and Enterprises
Stevens Institute of Technology, USA
wiley.larson@stevens.edu
719-582-0111

www.stevens.edu/SPACE

Academic Partner

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Graduate Certificate and Masters
in Space System Engineering

• Focus on five areas


• Development of space system engineers--people
• Space domain knowledge in robotic and human
space missions and systems to the subsystem level
• Technical “red line” with focus on baselines
• Upfront design and associated follow through
• Fundamental system engineering processes
enhanced with “how to” information, tools and
approaches
• Products to be developed and delivered
• Softer side—teamwork, communications and
technical leadership

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Graduate Certificate and Masters
in Space Systems Engineering—Key Points
• Flexible course delivery, on-site, in short 2-3 day sessions (may be
Fri/Sat), for example, every three weeks
• Learn the technical "red line" though complete space missions and
systems, tied to your work
• Design and “system engineer” space missions and systems using
hands-on techniques and take-away tools, learn spacecraft
verification hands-on with functional spacecraft and test
equipment
• Learn how to apply the 17 SE processes in the DOD Acq Guidebook
and NASA’s NPRs in life-like, space-related situations
• Course Modules tailored to meet your system engineering
Governance
• Students can obtain credit for previously-taken course modules by
taking an exam, if desired.
• Most modules are available for executive sessions, on-line or at
Stevens
• Earn Graduate Certificate from the largest system engineering
graduate program in the US…go on for your Masters from Stevens

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Graduate Certificate and
Masters in Space System Engineering

11/17/08 17
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Summary

• Stevens has an established, credible Graduate Certificate and


Masters Program in Space System Engineering

• Course modules available on site, flexible delivery

• Graduate Certificate Program beginning soon in your area

• Highly qualified, experienced professors and instructors


identified and ready to go

• Sign up today…www.stevens.edu/SPACE

• We are a “go” for launch!

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Space Systems Engineering Program
Leadership and Structure

19
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Space Systems Engineering Program
Leadership and Structure

20
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Implementation Issues

• Academic partnership possibilities


• Desired Program—modules, certificates, masters
• Graduate credit or not
• Delivery options—in-house executive, on-line
• Schedule of participation
• Value and cost
• Contractual issues

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Elements of a Space Mission
Architecture

• Subject
• Orbits
• Space segment, consisting of
» Payload
» Spacecraft bus
• Launch segment
• Ground segment
• Mission operations
• Command, control, and
communications architecture

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Questions/Comments

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What have we learned about
systems engineering?

• Systems engineersʼ activities span all lifecycle phases


of a project
• Best practicing space systems engineers share some
common personal behavioral characteristics
• Systems engineering is made up of two primary
activities—technical leadership and systems
management
• Systems engineerʼs capabilities have been identified
and verified across a large, diverse space community
• We believe that universities can use this information to
improve systems engineering curricula

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Whatʼs the purpose of Applied
Space Systems Engineering?

• Provide a “how to” do space systems engineering


• Provide processes, tools and information necessary to
“system engineer” space systems
• Offer case studies, lessons learned and a fully-
integrated example to demonstrate how to do systems
engineering
• Create a space-related systems engineering text and
reference for university students as well as practicing
systems engineers

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