Product Assurance (PA) is a crucial but resource- and time-consuming part of large space missions. In contrast, PA on CubeSat missions is very rudimentary, with low resource and time investments. With the growing demand for day-and-night communications and the push for easier and more affordable access to space, more and more small satellite constellations and missions are emerging. This high demand on the availability of the space systems and constellations makes them vulnerable to malfunctions of individual space elements. Given the typically long development and build times for satellites, the need for responsive space systems arises. These systems can shorten time and enable a faster placement and replacement of capabilities in space. To satisfy this market demand, several categories of responsive space are proposed for industrial implementation. The category in focus is a complex modular payload and commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) platform. The same categories can be applied to accelerate the dispatch of important science, observation, commercial, or military missions. Such a response is feasible for small satellites within a medium budget and tailored PA. These changing conditions necessitate a more streamlined viable PA for small satellites with emphasis on payload, reduced time, medium budget, and dedicated resources. This study presents an initial analysis for payload PA of small satellites and a brief opening of established and possible future responsive space concepts. An examination of traditional PA activities with respect to their risk mitigation effect and tailorability forms the basis for further analysis. Additionally, an analysis of failures from low PA CubeSats against high PA large satellites is conducted. This analysis results in a preliminary search for predictive failure characteristics related to applied PA, since failure statistics are missing for small satellites with medium budgets.    «

Product Assurance (PA) is a crucial but resource- and time-consuming part of large space missions. In contrast, PA on CubeSat missions is very rudimentary, with low resource and time investments. With the growing demand for day-and-night communications and the push for easier and more affordable access to space, more and more small satellite constellations and missions are emerging. This high demand on the availability of the space systems and constellations makes them vulnerable to malfunctions...    »