Risk Register for Nano-Microsatellite projects
Description
File contains risk register created for Nano and micro satelite projects within the article Tailored Continuous Risk Management in Nanosatellite Space Project VZLUSAT-1 using FMECA. Risk register is created based on discussion with the VZLUSAT-1 team. The risk register is used to summarize all the findings of project risk assessment in the VZLUSAT microsatellite project. The categories discovered as worth exploring in any microsatellite project are the following: System design and construction - recommend launching FMECA on each subsystem of satellite and its potential failure modes – mainly including the on-board computer, communication, battery, storage, and orientation systems Finance – sufficient funding not only for manufacture and research of the satellite but especially for testing, launching an operation is truly a long-term project, the estimated cost of VZLUSAT is around 1 200 000 EUR (Veřtát, 2018) Personal – due to the innovative nature and problematic funding of the project, the true ownership and personal interest of team members requires a certain level of personal interest in the project to avoid burnout in any of the satellite project stages Managerial – as the project team consisted of members from various partner companies and universities, one must keep the communication and knowledge transfer challenges in mind and be ready to work with them Testing and certification – as the earth orbit is closely monitored by space agencies such as NASA and ESA, and microsatellites are launched on vehicles with additional payloads, various tests and certification must be completed prior to launch. The requirements should be deeply explored already in the design stage to prevent future problems. It is worth mentioning that as in other projects the positive part of risks should not be skipped and the opportunities should also be identified. They consist mostly of the prolonged mission period, cost savings and technological advancements. The risk register was constructed as part of continuous risk management effort after the satellite launch with the team member still involved in the project. Due to lack of personnel and finance the risk register is limited and will be later extended as part of VZLUSAT-2 project. The system design and construction part of the risk register was conducted based on the FMECA, the managerial, personal and finance risks were added to the risk register as part of team brainstorming workshop outcomes.
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Valuable insights into the VZLUSAT project and its risk practices were provided by Ivo Veřtát, who is one of the radio and satellite operators in the team working long term on cosmic research at the University of West Bohemia. Mr. Veřtát was interviewed in January 2020. It was the only one of the team members willing to undergo the interview.