Abstract-Small spacecraft are more highly resource-constrained by mass, power, volume, delivery timelines, and financial cost relative to their larger counterparts. Small spacecraft are operationally challenging because subsystem functions are coupled and constrained by the limited available commodities (e.g. data, energy, and access times to ground resources). Furthermore, additional operational complexities arise because small spacecraft components are physically integrated, which may yield thermal or radio frequency interference.In this paper, we extend our initial Model Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) framework developed for a small spacecraft mission by demonstrating the ability to model different behaviors and scenarios.We integrate several simulation tools to execute SysML-based behavior models, including subsystem functions and internal states of the spacecraft. We demonstrate utility of this approach to drive the system analysis and design process. We demonstrate applicability of the simulation environment to capture realistic spacecraft operational scenarios, which include energy collection, the data acquisition, and downloading to ground stations.The integrated modeling environment enables users to extract feasibility, performance, and robustness metrics. This enables visualization of both the physical states (e.g. position, attitude) and functional states (e.g. operating points of various subsystems) of the spacecraft for representative mission scenarios.The modeling approach presented in this paper offers spacecraft designers and operators the opportunity to assess the feasibility of vehicle and network parameters, as well as the feasibility of operational schedules. This will enable future missions to benefit from using these models throughout the full design, test, and fly cycle. In particular, vehicle and network parameters and schedules can be verified prior to being implemented, during mission operations, and can also be updated in near real-time with operational performance feedback.

This paper presents an approach for next‐generation model‐based systems engineering across the system lifecycle, labelled MBSE++. This approach is based on the idea of a Total System Model that serves and evolves as the digital blueprint of a system through its lifecycle. The fundamental principles of MBSE++ are presented in this paper, including the use of decentralized and heterogeneous engineering models and repositories, spectrum of fine‐grained model‐based connections, unified representation of the system independent of the location of models, model transformations, comparisons, and synchronization to communicate between disciplines, and visualization and analytics for effective decision making. The motivation for each of the MBSE++ principles is presented, followed by a description of use cases. The use cases are exemplified using Syndeia, a MBE/MBSE platform developed by Intercax.

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