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Spacecraft Design
Operations Phase (Phase E). The purpose of the operations phase is to
safely and productively conduct the routine operation of the satellite,
including data acquisition, processing, and distribution, until or unless a
problem develops or the mission is terminated. The conduct of this phase
varies considerably depending on whether the mission is a military, civil,
scientific, or commercial endeavor.
Key activities during this phase are command and control of the space-
craft and instruments and data transmission, capture, processing, archiv-
ing, and distribution. Special mission operations may be authorized and
conducted. Orbital changes may be required. Spacecraft or instrument
components may be retrieved, repaired, or changed out in orbit. During
this phase, routine items include:

Payload performance reviews with users.
Flight assessments of hardware, software, orbit behavior, and mission
objectives.
Monitoring the acquisition, processing, dissemination, and archiving
of data.
Compilation and production of a “lessons learned” document for the
mission.

The following is a list of factors that must be considered in the design
of systems which are to perform in the environment of space. The list is
in no way complete or exhaustive but represents a minimum of topics
which must be considered in such systems. These factors were presented
in detail in Chapter 8 along with their associated design considerations.
A. Space Component
1. Payload (mission-specific) systems
2. Support systems
a. power systems
b. thermal control
c. propulsion
d. attitude reference and control
e. data
f. spacecraft monitoring and control
g. structure