Boeing´s 702 Product Line: System engineering a cost effective product portfolio strategy

In recent years Boeing has realized significant growth in commercial satellite sales. To achieve this growth, Boeing has both expanded its satellite product portfolio and shifted towards a cost-effective Product Line operating model. In this paper we outline some of the strategies that have been successfully employed at Boeing´s satellite division, including extensible and reusable spacecraft requirements and architectures. Building on the authors´ experience, we focus on design for reuse, presenting a framework for balancing initial investment and maintenance costs against longer term financial and operating benefits. Using two case studies, we explore the specific challenges of implementing a product line approach in space applications which are characterized by low volume production, long development schedules, and highly tailored customer requirements.