Risk mitigation for the use of non-space qualified commercial off the shelf (COTS) avionics in small satellites

Abstract

With the growing popularity of small satellites, low end 'small sat' missions are now being used for science, military, and educational efforts. Low end missions may typically be allocated less, or much less than a few million dollars. But in an industry where a single space qualified flight computer stack can easily cost upwards of a million dollars, entire low end budgets can be quickly spent on a single space qualified subsystem. Mass produced 'commercial off the shelf' (COTS) components, designed and manufactured for only terrestrial applications, are now becoming the only solution to enable low end missions to fly. However, there are many risks that avionics experience during storage, transport into space, and orbit operations. There are also risks that COTS avionics would pose to the satellite's own payload. Since terrestrial COTS is vital to small projects, there is a great need for a comprehensive guide for COTS risk identification and mitigation specific to small project needs. This study not only provides a comprehensive survey of disparate sources which facilitate risk management, but also selects specific information specific to COTS. I have also included new test data that I have gathered from my work at the Hawaiʻi Space Flight Laboratory, and my personal notes from my four years of experience working on small satellite projects. The recommendations that I have included are tailored specifically for small satellite projects. Risks specific to metallic whiskers, outgassing, and radiation are given special attention due to their potentially mission-ending risk factors.