Integration of small satellite cost and design models for improved conceptual design-to-cost

In the late 1980's a new satellite paradigm, modern small satellites, arose and opened up a new class of space applications. Since 1991, the Aerospace Corporation has been studying small satellites. Two products of this on-going study are the Small Satellite Cost Model (SSCM) and the Small Satellite Design Model (SSDM). In an effort to better meet design-to-cost goals for conceptual design, The Aerospace Corporation has recently developed the Aerospace Small Satellite Evaluation Spreadsheet Suite (ASSESS). This tool integrates the SSCM and SSDM into a single design-to-cost tool for use by a systems engineer either working alone or in cooperation with a design team. Several versions of the ASSESS tool are being developed with varying levels of fidelity. Features of each version of ASSESS and the method for obtaining them are discussed in detail in this paper.