A practical application of a systems engineering process in space avionics design and development

The ongoing development of avionics to support the Spectral Imaging of the Coronal Environment (SPICE) Electronics Box (SEB) program as part of the European Space Agency´s (ESA) Solar Orbiter program has presented numerous design and verification challenges. A unique challenge in the development of the SPICE electronics is the validation of the system due to its multi-national elements and their concurrent development timelines. The practical application of a systems engineering process has reduced and mitigated these risks through requirements flow-down to subsystems and a comprehensive verification program to ensure all specifications are met. This paper discusses the lessons learned from requirements development and verification and validation activities. These lessons have resulted in a substantial risk reduction as the program has moved forward with flight model design development and testing activities.