Is this project an undergraduate, graduate, or faculty project?
Undergraduate
Project Type
individual
Campus
Daytona Beach
Authors' Class Standing
Kevin Wooldridge, Senior
Lead Presenter's Name
Kevin Wooldridge
Lead Presenter's College
DB College of Arts and Sciences
Faculty Mentor Name
Elisabeth Hope Murray
Abstract
Requirements gathering is a fundamental step in the systems engineering lifecycle, shaping the success of space missions. This research focuses on refining the requirements development process through a structured methodology, using Project COMET—a University Nanosatellite Program (UNP) mission—as a case study. While Project COMET encompasses various design and operational challenges, this study is centered specifically on improving requirement identification, analysis, and validation for small satellite development. The research employs a three-stage workshop-based approach. The first stage involves functional decomposition, breaking down mission objectives into system-level needs and identifying key constraints. The second stage explores structured problem-framing techniques to enhance requirement completeness and traceability. The final stage integrates trade-off analysis and iterative validation to resolve conflicts and refine requirements based on feasibility and mission constraints. Through pre- and post-workshop surveys, this approach captures participant feedback and measures the effectiveness of different requirement elicitation techniques. The findings aim to contribute to best practices in early-stage systems engineering for space missions, providing a replicable framework for future small satellite projects by students.
Did this research project receive funding support (Spark, SURF, Research Abroad, Student Internal Grants, Collaborative, Climbing, or Ignite Grants) from the Office of Undergraduate Research?
Yes, Spark Grant
A Structured Approach to Requirements Gathering
Requirements gathering is a fundamental step in the systems engineering lifecycle, shaping the success of space missions. This research focuses on refining the requirements development process through a structured methodology, using Project COMET—a University Nanosatellite Program (UNP) mission—as a case study. While Project COMET encompasses various design and operational challenges, this study is centered specifically on improving requirement identification, analysis, and validation for small satellite development. The research employs a three-stage workshop-based approach. The first stage involves functional decomposition, breaking down mission objectives into system-level needs and identifying key constraints. The second stage explores structured problem-framing techniques to enhance requirement completeness and traceability. The final stage integrates trade-off analysis and iterative validation to resolve conflicts and refine requirements based on feasibility and mission constraints. Through pre- and post-workshop surveys, this approach captures participant feedback and measures the effectiveness of different requirement elicitation techniques. The findings aim to contribute to best practices in early-stage systems engineering for space missions, providing a replicable framework for future small satellite projects by students.