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The Development Test Flight (DTF-1) system design is described and the technical, operational and safety considare the "lessons" that were learned during the design and early development stages in an effort to capture SOme of the howledge from the program.being subjected to launch and when constrained by Shuttle and manned system interfaces.was far different from building laboratory demonstration models. The DTF-1 engineers had to consider requirements in the erations that affected the diScuSSed. Also Designing space-qualified hardware for the DTF-1 system

Abstract. There is an increased focus on systems engineering as the key to mission success within the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The agency has embraced a systems engineering excellence initiative to enhance the capabilities of systems engineering across the agency. This paper addresses some of the organizational steps that are being taken at the Goddard Space Flight Center to improve the systems engineering capability in support of the Center's programs and projects.Introduction. The NASA common systems engineering framework consists of three elements that make up systems engineering capability to produce quality products and achieve mission success 1 . The relationship of the three elements is illustrated in Figure 1. The integrated implementation of the three elements of the Systems Engineering Framework is intended to improve the overall capability required for the efficient and effective engineering of NASA systems. These three elements are common technical processes, workforce, and tools and methods. Together, these elements comprise the capability of an organization to perform successful Systems Engineering.

Abstract. The systems engineering of space missions to study planet Earth has been an important focus of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) since its inception.But all space missions are becoming increasingly complex and this fact, reinforced by some major mishaps, has caused NASA to reevaluate their approach to achieving safety and mission success.

Over the past several years, several events [Ref 1] have led NASA to re-examine how it engineers systems. As a result, NASA initiated a Systems Engineering Excellence Initiative in 2001, and established a Systems Engineering Working Group (SEWG) to form and implement a common framework for engineering systems within NASA 1 .The common framework is based on the development and sustainment of a state-of-the-art level of competence in systems engineering, measurable in three specific areas; Concepts and Processes; Knowledge and Skill of Workforce; and Tools and Methodologies. The framework must also include a method of providing continuous assessment and improvement.Cursory review led a SEWG sub-group (The Assessment Subgroup) to conclude that utilization of a recognized maturity model, such as the Software Engineering Institute's (SEI) Capability Maturity Model Integrated (CMMI ® ), would provide the means for ensuring continuous assessment and improvement of the framework.Prior to launching a CMMI ® assessment of systems engineering at all ten NASA Centers (estimated to cost in excess of $500,000), the Assessment Subgroup proposed to conduct a pre-CMMI ® assessment (hereafter referred to as a pre-assessment) to evaluate the current level of competence of systems engineering throughout the Agency, and determine whether or not CMMI ® should be implemented.1 This effort is sponsored by NASA's Office of the Chief Engineer.