Developing a Digital Thread for AIV Engineering
A Model-Based Framework for Small Satellite Missions
D.R. Byahatti (TU Delft - Aerospace Engineering)
I. Akay – Mentor (TU Delft - Aerospace Engineering)
J. Strenge – Mentor (ISISpace B.V.)
L. M. Goh – Mentor (ISISpace B.V.)
S. Speretta – Graduation committee member (TU Delft - Aerospace Engineering)
P.P. Sundaramoorthy – Graduation committee member (TU Delft - Aerospace Engineering)
More Info
expand_more
Other than for strictly personal use, it is not permitted to download, forward or distribute the text or part of it, without the consent of the author(s) and/or copyright holder(s), unless the work is under an open content license such as Creative Commons.
Abstract
In the NewSpace era, small satellite missions face increasing pressure to achieve high reliability under tight schedules and limited resources. Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) has demonstrated clear advantages over traditional document-centric workflows, yet its benefits have largely been confined to early design phases, with limited extension into Assembly, Integration, Verification, and Validation (AIV/V) activities. Current AIV/V practice relies on disconnected workflows where requirements, interfaces, test procedures, and verification status are managed across separate tools, introducing inconsistencies and reducing traceability. In collaboration with ISISPACE, this thesis presents the design, implementation, and validation of an integrated Capella-Valispace toolchain establishing a bidirectional digital thread from mission requirement definition to verification close-out. Model artefacts are automatically extracted from Capella and imported into Valispace, while verification outcomes and as built measurements flow back into the Capella model. The framework is evaluated across 26 success factors against document-based and Capella-only reference approaches and demonstrated on a 6UXL CubeSat Earth-observation mission, showing significant improvements in traceability, consistency, flexibility, and stakeholder collaboration.