ACCEDE 2022 Workshop on COTS Components for Space Applications

Introduction

Since the first successful ACCEDE event in 2019, the usage of Commercial Shelf (COTS components) EEE parts in space applications continues to increase. Furthermore, both: companies and institutions are hardly working on getting knowledge and finding methodologies to safely use them, not only for addressing the needs of the so-called “New Space” programs such as constellations and/or nano & small satellites but also for reaching the technical challenges in the more classical space missions and applications.

Technical Scope ACCEDE 2022 Workshop on COTS components.

Nowadays, space is recognized as a highly competitive sector, continuously asking for higher performance figures while reducing the overall cost from mission inception up to end-of-life decommissioning. Such a trend has consequences at all levels, including selecting and procuring building blocks and components.

In parallel, EEE parts designed for ground applications such as automotive, data handling, and other high-demanding sectors show engaging performances and high-reliability levels when produced in massive quantities and while subjected to ad-hoc qualification schemes (for example, AEC Q, but not only).

In the meantime, several events have occurred: the ECSS-Q-ST-60-13 was deeply reviewed, and it is in the process to be updated, recognizing in a certain way the AEC Q system. Numerous initiatives have also been put in place: Space2motion at German Space Agency, OSIP call at ESA, …. constellations model missions are growing: Starlink, OneWeb, or Kuiper, and missions start to produce relevant data.

Although we could see the direct use of COTS as a solution, there is still a gap to be covered to allow a more frequent usage of COTS components for space applications.

With this in mind, the workshop intends to act as a forum for experts to share their experiences and forecast based on facts and technical evidence.