Title: A proposal for a minimum viable mission assurance (MVMA) process for small and medium satellites

Authors: Cristiane Mariano Zavati Silva; Marcelo Lopes de Oliveira Souza; Guilherme Micheli Bedini Moreira

Addresses: National Institute for Space Research-INPE, Av. dos Astronautas, 1758, São José dos Campos, São Paulo, 12227-010, Brazil ' National Institute for Space Research-INPE, Av. dos Astronautas, 1758, São José dos Campos, São Paulo, 12227-010, Brazil ' Aeronautics Institute of Technology-ITA, Pç Marechal Eduardo Gomes, 50 São José dos Campos, São Paulo, 12228-900, Brazil

Abstract: This paper proposes a minimum viable mission assurance (MVMA) process for small and medium satellites. The proposal is based on a survey of existing references and internationally and nationally adopted philosophies. It introduces a new organisation of information, approaches, and tools to optimise resource use and prioritise mission constraints. The MVMA approach incorporates elements from both Classic and Modern Mission Assurance processes, following existing standards. Key features include a reorganisation of information, critical requirements, cornerstone clauses, and balancing criteria; mission classification; Organisation Designation Authorisation (ODA); and a requirements selection method. The proposal was validated through its application to the equatorial atmosphere research satellite (EQUARS)) mission and received positive feedback from experienced professionals in the field. The questionnaire-based assessment indicated that implementing the MVMA approach is likely to yield favorable outcomes.

Keywords: MVMA; minimum viable mission assurance; constraints; requirements; risk; satellites.

DOI: 10.1504/IJASM.2024.142132

International Journal of Agile Systems and Management, 2024 Vol.17 No.4, pp.483 - 501

Received: 20 Jul 2023
Accepted: 06 Apr 2024
Published online: 08 Oct 2024 *

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