Athena

Incremental Verification of Complex and Evolving Systems

Master Thesis (2024)
Author(s)

D.A. Stutman (TU Delft - Aerospace Engineering)

Contributor(s)

E.K.A. Gill – Mentor (TU Delft - Space Systems Egineering)

Jon Reijneveld – Mentor (The Exploration Company)

Faculty
Aerospace Engineering
More Info
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Publication Year
2024
Language
English
Graduation Date
03-09-2024
Awarding Institution
Delft University of Technology
Programme
['Aerospace Engineering']
Sponsors
The Exploration Company
Faculty
Aerospace Engineering
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Abstract

The Exploration Company's Nyx spacecraft is meant to be the first privately funded European cargo capsule. It will service the growing demand for up- and down-mass to Low Earth Orbit and beyond, supporting both existing systems such as the International Space Station, and future systems developed by companies such as Vast and Axiom. Because Nyx is a complex and strategically significant vehicle, special attention is being paid to the Systems Engineering approaches that are applied to its development. This work presents a novel approach and software platform for organizing, tracking, and analyzing the verification of complex systems. This platform - named "Athena" - enables rapid, incremental verification of these systems, thereby contributing to complete and consistent results. The Exploration Company has begun to apply this platform to Nyx's NASA safety certification, with initially positive results.

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File under embargo until 03-09-2026