Comparative Analysis of Model-based and Traditional Systems Engineering Approaches for Architecting a Robotic Space System through Automatic Information Transfer

This study seeks to compare the quantity of information that is automatically transferred through the associations generated using a model-based systems engineering (MBSE) approach versus a traditional systems engineering approach to measure the benefits of MBSE in architecting a robotic space system. An MBSE approach was applied to architecting an orbiting sample Capture and Orient Module (COM) system concept for a Capture, Containment, and Return System (CCRS) payload concept for Mars Sample Return (MSR). An architecting process was established, covering architecture of the system, subsystem, and assembly levels of the system. The process involved defining the structural, behavioral, data, and requirements perspectives for each system level, along with trade studies and peer reviews between each level. The architecting process was carried out to define the COM system architecture using both MBSE and non-MBSE approaches in parallel in order to provide a side-by-side comparison of the approaches. The approaches were analyzed using design structure matrices and evaluated based on the amount of information transferred between process tasks manually (e.g., elements physically typed into text boxes in a presentation slide) vs automatically (e.g., elements automatically filled out within a block in a model view due to explicitly defined element associations). A total of 4,819 information element transfers were traced in the DSMs and used to quantitatively compare the two approaches. The non-MBSE approach required manual transfer for all 4,819 information elements. The MBSE approach required manual transfer for 4,189 information elements and automatic transfer for 630 information elements, providing a minor increase in the automation of information transfer relative to the non-MBSE approach. Incorporating the use of additional MBSE artifacts into the trade study and peer review tasks, manual transfer could potentially be reduced to 931 information elements, and automatic transfer increased to 3,888 information elements. Automation of information transfer has the potential to improve communication of information and reduce errors that could later lead to costly process iterations, rework, and design changes. Demonstrating increased automatic information transfer can help communicate the benefits of MBSE in architecting robotic space systems and strengthen the case for adopting MBSE within the broader systems engineering community.