Hubble Space Telescope Systems Engineering: Challenges, Principles, And Lessons Essay.

Engineering Challenge

1. What was the product /engineering challenge that was being solved?

The problem was traced back to a small imperfection in Hubble's primary mirror, which the team of researchers discovered.

• The Discovery space shuttle successfully launched the Hubble Space Telescope into orbit in April 1990. Scientists subsequently found that this was due to a minor imperfection in Hubble's primary mirror, even though the telescope's initial photos were less than clear as planned.
• In December 1993, astronauts successfully installed corrective optics, and the problem was fixed. The sudden shutdown of the Hubble Space Telescope on June 13 after 31 years in orbit was first thought to result from a fault in an outdated memory module. As specialists tried to solve the issue, they found it more impossible.

2. How important were early and sustained consultations with the customer in the system's success? What advantages and disadvantages were experienced because of this approach?

• The initial study focused on Hubble's newly discovered visual problem and how to install two gadgets to fix it. The second session focused on installing two devices to fix it. It's all part of achieving the objective.  Deploying two new instruments, repairing two others, and bringing the scientific processors and batteries of the Hubble Space Telescope up to date by extending the Hubble's equipment life.

• Although it is no longer in operation, the observatory is nonetheless one of the world's most powerful and sought-after observatories. Some benefits are: You do not have to deal with the Earth's atmosphere in most circumstances.

• Making comprehensive observations in the environment, especially in cloudy settings, maybe a difficult task. With the ambient removed, the degree of clarity is practically unmatched. You will be able to catch minute details astonishingly.
• Despite its shortcomings, the Hubble Space Telescope has been a triumph. To convince those who do not believe in the need for a space program, others might refer to the Hubble Space Telescope's numerous successes.
• In space, everything is different. It is hardly surprising that operating a telescope in space is tough.
• No matter what kind of repair work is required for the Hubble Space Telescope, it will take time. The previous point is linked to this important factor.
• To some, the Hubble Space Telescope is too small.
• Finally, repairs take a long time because they are difficult to accomplish. Factors like distance and the difficulties of working in space are factors here. 

3. What were the primary systems engineering principles that were described for this product?  

• Management of risk and systems engineering
• System Integration
• Involvement of Customers/Users at an Early Stage (pg. 7)
• Support for the Life Cycle
• Use of Pre-Program Trade Studies (pg.8).

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4. How was the cost kept in control while fostering reliance on industrial involvement in building the product?

However, rather than thoroughly examining all data, management chose to reallocate the crew after the mirror cleaning task was completed to save money on labour costs. It was control through:

• The advocacy for the program,
• The test flights were shortened (pg. 32)
• The expenditures were greatly reduced,
• The cost estimates were published during this period.

It was impossible to do this kind of investigation during the selling period. Module-based methods were considered a potential alternative at the commencement of the project as a possible solution.

5. Was the product designed for maintenance? If so, what were the plans for the execution and maintenance, and how was it implemented in reality? 

Even though a product is not designed to fail, there is always a way to ensure that it continues to function effectively via scientific knowledge (pg. 15).

• The astronauts were in charge of doing the repairs. To correct the sensor route, they installed a system consisting of 10 small mirrors that intercepted the light from the large mirror and modified the channel to their specifications (pg. 36)
• It took about five weeks for scientists to repair the Hubble Space Telescope, out of commission for nearly five weeks. A mysterious failure had led Hubble to go offline, and it was forced to switch to backup equipment to resolve the problem.

6. How important was the system requirement phase, and how was this conducted? Were there any tools used to achieve this effectively?

The Hubble Space Telescope helps to our knowledge of the cosmos by observing distant objects. Millions of stars in galaxies all around the cosmos worked together to complete the task.

These galaxies are among the most distant and brightest ever seen in Hubble Space Telescope images, and they are also among the most massive and massive galaxies ever observed. The COS and STIS are the instruments that are being utilized in this experiment. Hubble Space Telescope uses spectrographs to take pictures of the cosmos.

Two Spectrographs:

• The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (STIS).
• The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (STIS), were employed by Hubble Space

However, Telescope to image the cosmos (STIs). COS and STIS are complementary instruments that operate together to provide scientists with extra data, in addition to giving detailed spectrum data for a range of celestial objects (pg. 61).  

7. What time and cost constraints were imposed on this project? What are some of the approaches and tools used in keeping to these limits? Were there any elements that, in retrospect, could have been improved?

The Hubble Space Telescope project has incurred expenses of around 16 billion dollars in the United States, according to government estimates (inflation-adjusted to 2021 USD). Time

During this period, scientific equipment such as COS and WFC3 (with WFC3 acting as an approach tool) was placed in SM4 (with WFC3 serving as an approach tool). It was necessary to enhance the optical components used in the design for improved performance (pg. 13).

8. What was the design process for the product? How were the functional requirements defined? What were the different stages from design to deployment?

• One of the key goals of mirror restoration is to offer. In 1993, the optics were re-adjusted to their original quality. The only other telescope that astronauts can service is Hubble. Five distinct Space Shuttle missions have been used to maintain, upgrade, or replace the telescope’s five core instruments.
• The Theatre Battle Management Core System, the Hubble Space Telescope, the F-. 111, and the C-5 Galaxy are just a few examples of their design work

 The following stages of development are involved: To begin, a well-defined set of requirements must be in place. Once the design and analysis of the system have been completed, it’s time to create the basic architecture. Systems and subsystems are designed following the overall system’s functional architecture.

• As the design process progresses logically, high-risk technology areas are reduced via prototyping and trade-off analysis. The requests are validated and verified throughout the design and construction process to ensure their fulfillment.
• Test validity and reliability may be determined using various methods (MOEs). Before assembling any components or subsystems, MOPs were developed as part of a well-defined requirements process (pg. 28).

9. Comment on the life cycle of the project. Was it long or short, where were most of the costs involved in this product’s development?

• It has a long shelf life and is easy to store. Over its 30 years of operation, the Hubble Space Telescope has completed 175,200 orbits.
• To power, the spacecraft, Hubble's wing arrays are equipped with solar cells that gather energy from the sun's rays and channel it into the spaceship. While Hubble is in orbit around the Earth, and hence under the planet's shadow, a portion of that power is preserved (pg. 34).
• Finally, billions of dollars will be spent to repair the mirror, which is the costliest component of the whole operation.

10. Comment on the verification, traceability, and documentation for this engineering solution. 

• This is true, especially for high-precision requirements and activities where the outcomes must be accurate and repeatable since extensive documentation is the only method to determine whether or not acceptable results have been achieved.
• According to the investigation, a vital piece of paperwork had been missing throughout the mirror's development process. This process included the design and development stages and the manufacturing and testing stages.
• Program faults were often traced back to "weak links" (functional definition, design, and implementation of multiple crucial functional interfaces around inadequate testing implementation) rather than system integration concerns in many cases (functional definition, design, and implementation of several essential functional interfaces around ineffective testing implementation).
• The verification mechanism was only partly effective in its efforts to verify the information.

11. What are some of the learnings from this system engineering case study? What did the author comment that were transferable lessons to other similar engineering projects? 

Researchers and the public have benefited from Hubble's views of our solar system:

• A telescope is required to see the planet Como and other astronomical objects. New moons around Pluto have been identified by the Hubble Space Telescope, which launched in 1990.
• Scientists have gained a better understanding of the evolution of planets and galaxies thanks to the Hubble Space Telescope. Billions of stars may be found in several galaxies. One of the most distant galaxies may be seen in the "Hubble Ultra Deep Field" picture.
• Hubble's photos have aided scientists in comprehending the universe. According to Hubble photos, astronomers now estimate the cosmos is 14 billion years old. Scientists headed by Edwin Hubble discovered the universe's black holes.
• The black hole absorbs everything in its path, leaving nothing behind; They can absorb light and energy. The Hubble Space Telescope has also helped astronomers understand huge star explosions. Since the space shuttle traveled to Hubble in 2009, similar efforts will be required in the future.
• Astronauts were on their fifth expedition to repair Hubble, which had been damaged six times. New components and cameras were added to the telescope. It works this way.
• Hubble will not need any further repairs, and this year celebrates Hubble's 30th birthday. Even so, it can take stunning images of the cosmos. Scientists say they are working on a second space telescope.

The James Webb Space Telescope was launched in 2009 because it was sent into orbit in 2009. Compared to Hubble, it will be tiny. Unlike Hubble, Webb will not complete an Earth orbit. Webb will be on the moon's far side when he completes his solar orbit. Webb will be able to make more exact forecasts than Hubble since it will use different light than Hubble. Webb's help will allow researchers to explore more of the universe.

References

Mattice, J. J. (2008). Hubble Space Telescope systems engineering case study.