EO Mission Data Management Framework MBSE approach

EO Science missions have shown increasing complexity both on the scientific and on the data management side, while the flying missions have demonstrated a remarkable longevity. The diversity of data to be managed and the volume of EO data to be preserved is constantly increasing.

To face the corresponding challenges, the operational approach and the technical and operational solutions need to evolve to provide scalability and flexibility while ensuring a secure and robust operational environment.

To address these challenges, it was decided to evolve the design of the Payload Data Ground Segments (PDGS) from a mission-specific design to a single Data Generation and Management Framework—one that constitutes the EOF-EOS reference architecture.

Maintaining and evolving a Reference Architecture that supports all EO mission needs while keeping the coherence and consistency of the design would be extremely demanding—and perhaps impossible—using the standard document-based approach.

For this reason, it was decided to adopt a Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) approach. However, recognizing that most stakeholders are not familiar with modeling languages and tools, an effort was required to make the model understandable to all stakeholders and to enable modeling activities even for non-expert modelers.

A SysML metamodel has been created, implementing the EOF-EOS ontology (including contextual terminology and graphical representations), and defining a methodology that guides the modeler through the modeling activities.

The aim of the workshop is to present the EOF-EOS Ontology and Methodology, including a discussion of the challenges faced and the corresponding resolutions.