Doug Sheldon, Assurance Technology Program Office manager at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), recently presented to the Academy of Aerospace Quality (ASQ) on the evolution of Safety and Mission Assurance approaches for SmallSat and CubeSat missions.

The presentation “Mission Assurance 2.0 — S&MA in the SmallSat Paradigm” highlighted statistical reliability analysis of both heritage and smallsat missions. Smallsats show significantly worse reliability when compared to heritage missions, so smallsat missions will require custom mission assurance approaches to address these reliability issues. Sheldon also discussed JPL’s internal process for custom tailoring mission assurance requirements to smallsats. This process encompasses JPL’s formal flight project practices combined with risk mitigation strategies designed to provide smallsat missions a robust approach to assurance activities. AAQ students will be able to leverage this approach to improve the quality and reliability of their missions.

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