Estimation of Manufacturing Cost and Risks for Satellite Electro-Optical Sensors

Earth observation via satellites currently provide valuable data in a wide range of fields such as topography, oceanography, atmospheric conditions, biological distribution, and climate. The United States Air Force, Navy, NASA, and private industry havelaunched a variety of observation satellites, and the Air Force has always taken a primary role in research for developing these satellites and sensors. Electro-optical sensors perform a key role in accomplishing these missions.As with all cutting edge technology, the production of complex assemblies in relatively small quantities is an expensive learning process. The decision to develop a mission-critical electro-optical sensor requires both technical design information andcost/affordability data, as well as an understanding of the relationship between the two and the inherent technical and cost risk.We propose to explore the use of new and innovative mathematical theories coupled with more traditional product- and process-based parametrics to quickly yet accurately estimate costs for an elector-optical sensor assembly. We will also couple automateddesign tools (CAD/CAM) to automated cost tools, providing the capability to examine both the technical and cost implications for a wide range of design options.The results of this project may be expected to provide substantial commercial benefits by enhancing Galorath's current line of parametric cost, schedule and risk software tools. This research will enhance the capabilities of the tools to estimate cost andrisk for satellite electro-optical sensors, and Galorath expects to be able to extend this range of applicability to other, similar complex assemblies. This capability will prove very interesting to current and potential customers of our hardwaredevelopment and design-for-manufacturability tools. In addition, Galorath has already identified among both current and potential customers a strong desire for feature-based estimation capabilities which are automatically linked to CAD/CAM design tools.