Application of System Engineering Processes to the Concept Design of a Lunar Communication Service

Space industry is experiencing a renewed interest in the Moon, its surface exploration, and the exploration of in-situ resources. In the near future, more and more missions will target Earth’s natural satellite, promoted by both governmental entities and commercial players. This upcoming growth of lunar activities will result in a considerable increase in data volume and information, which will need to be exchanged between assets on the Moon and Earth. Furthermore, the project of a stable and permanent presence of humans in the Moon environment involves the creation of a great number of services and facilities for future lunar inhabitants. The aim of this Thesis is the application of system engineering techniques to a real business case in order to acquire experience and knowledge in the space system design process. The current work has been developed in the context of an internship with one of the most visionary Italian space companies, Argotec srl, during the concept design of the ANDROMEDA Service, a microsatellite-based Lunar Communication Service. This work first presents the study of the mission concept, analysis and design, carried out through the application of a strategy which combines Lean methodologies and Agile Practices. Then, a preliminary system configuration design and budgeting are performed, in order to find out a platform able to meet the mission objectives and satisfy the service customers' needs.