Automated Generation of Risk and Failure Models during Early Phase Design

A functional model of a space mission represents the various functions that need to succeed in order for the mission to be successful. The various outcomes of each of these functions and their combinations determine the different possible outcomes for the mission. Recent research and development by Jenkins and Heron has led to the development of a common ontology that is used to completely specify the important attributes of a space mission; including the risks and failures. Using this ontology, we have organized the information obtained at the preliminary design phase of a sample space mission and linked the various attributes together within the context of the Systems Engineering tool, CORE.