Interactive simulation games to assess federated satellite system concepts

Federated satellite systems (FSS) consist of heterogeneous spacecraft with opportunistic data services. FSS membership is based on voluntary participation by independent actors without the centralized control required for systems engineering methods. New approaches must be developed to identify and assess mechanisms and incentives for collaborative behaviors required in a FSS. Towards this goal, this paper develops an interactive tabletop board game to demonstrate a technical simulation model integrated inside a social decision-making activity. Although simplified in technical detail, the game achieves a level of realism by basing its structure and behavior on a logical model of FSS with hierarchical federation, federate, system, and subsystem constructs. A prototype game provides a physical form using a game board, mats, tokens, counters, and cards to represent key constructs. Play-testing sessions reveal insights regarding FSS including participation based on minimizing opportunity cost, legacy hardware as a barrier to participation, partnerships to overcome the initial actor problem, and frequent under-estimation of network complexity and robustness.