Space Vehicle Testing

• Main Author: Belsick, Charlotte Ann
• Format: Others
• Published: DigitalCommons@CalPoly 2012
• Subjects: test; verification; software; hardware; anomaly; Systems Engineering and Multidisciplinary Design Optimization
• Online Access: https://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/theses/888; https://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1937&context=theses

Requirement verification and validation is a critical component of building and delivering space vehicles with testing as the preferred method. This Master’s Project presents the space vehicle test process from planning through test design and execution. It starts with an overview of the requirements, validation, and verification. The four different verification methods are explained including examples as to what can go wrong if the verification is done incorrectly. Since the focus of this project is on test, test verification is emphasized. The philosophy behind testing, including the “why” and the methods, is presented. The different levels of testing, the test objectives, and the typical tests are discussed in detail. Descriptions of the different types of tests are provided including configurations and test challenges. While most individuals focus on hardware only, software is an integral part of any space product. As such, software testing, including mistakes and examples, is also presented. Since testing is often not performed flawlessly the first time, sections on anomalies, including determining root cause, corrective action, and retest is included. A brief discussion of defect detection in test is presented. The project is actually presented in total in the Appendix as a Power Point document.