2009:061 PB 2009:061 MASTER'SMASTER’S THESIS Investigation and Development of a Project Plan for the REXUS/BEXUS Near-Space Launch Programme2009:061 MASTER'S THESIS Investigation and Development of a Project Plan for Mark the Fittock REXUS/BEXUS Near-Space Launch Programme Mark Fittock Luleå University of Technology Master Thesis, Continuation Courses Space Science and Technology Department of Space Science, Kiruna Universitetstryckeriet, Luleå 2009:061 - ISSN: 1653-0187 - ISRN: LTU-PB-EX--09/061--SE Luleå University of Technology Master Thesis, Continuation Courses Space Science and Technology Department of Space Science, Kiruna 2009:061 - ISSN: 1653-0187 - ISRN: LTU-PB-EX--09/061--SE Declaration of Originality I, Mark Edmund Rawlings Fittock, hereby declare that all work included in this thesis document is my own. Unless erroneously, no previously published material has been included, except were correctly acknowledged in the references. The primary usage of this document is for submission as a thesis and as such, it has not and will not be submitted for other tertiary level coursework requirements. I Abstract REXUS/BEXUS is a near-space launch programme providing university students with the opportunity to fly their experiments aboard rockets and balloons. This is made possible through the joint efforts of SNSB, DLR Space Agency, SSC, DLR and ESA Education. Previously, although planning has occurred in tandem and by agreement with all the parties, no singular project plan document for the programme has been created. Although operating together under the EuroLaunch Cooperation Agreement for the organisation and management of the programme, SSC and DLR both created separate plans at the beginning of the current REXUS/BEXUS programme. In order to remedy the discrepancies between the separate project plans and how work has actually progressed, a joint EuroLaunch Project Plan is to be developed. Due to the complexity and scope of the project, certain topics in particular needed to be reviewed and developed. The requirements which were not explicitly defined previously were addressed by reviewing the previous documentation sources and establishing a set of requirements to which the programme must address. Due to the close cooperation, a decomposition of the work involved was conducted to a high level of detail so that responsibilities were clear. In order to manage all this data, a work breakdown visualization system was developed through which an extended task list database could be transformed into a large graphical representation of the project for tracking and further planning work. Analysis of scheduling requirements was conducted by looking at past progress and a simple schedule was created to address the needs of the programme. The EuroLaunch Project Plan for REXUS/BEXUS nears completion with the work presented here. There is some analysis and estimation that must be done outside of the scope of this thesis before it can go through a three phase review process to ensure that the project plan is a true representation of the programme. II Acknowledgements Firstly, I would like to thank Sven Molin for aiding me in the decision to pursue participation in the SpaceMaster programme and being a friendly ear when questions or issues arose. I want to thank LTU for providing the framework within which I could do this industry thesis. Especially Hans Weber for his support as my university supervisor. I must thank the other members of the Stratospheric Census team (Gerrit Holl, Martin Rudolph, Martin Siegl and Jaroslav Urbar) for inviting me to join their BEXUS project. The project itself was a huge learning experience and led me to my thesis through a combination of both, I’ve learned more about the space industry in two years than I could have imagined. If not for the REXUS/BEXUS Programme, not only would I have missed the opportunity to participate in the programme but my thesis would not have existed either. Thanks go to SNSB, DLR, SSC and ESA for making the programme possible. Three peers and friends of mine were critical in their support and feedback. Juxi Leitner gave me the courage to pursue an XML solution to my problem and aided me with advice and help in creating the code necessary. Robert Fittock, who has often stepped up to the plate for me, did it once again with some much needed help with a java file reading solution. Sam Webster, a true comrade in arms, has helped throughout the course of my thesis with an open ear and wise words. Thanks must also go to my parents, John and Joanne Fittock for their unconditional support of my decision to follow this path. To all the friends and family that could not fit in this page, whether they hail from Australia, Sweden, Germany or the rest of the world, their support and friendship has been invaluable during my thesis. I must thank DLR Bremen for their kind accommodation of me during my time there and all the work that was put in to make it possible for me to do my thesis. All of the people involved in REXUS/BEXUS who eagerly helped with the development of the gargantuan WBS deserve hearty thanks. Their cooperation made a difficult task much easier due to their contributions and feedback. Last but not least is my supervisor at DLR, Andreas Stamminger, who provided the topic of my thesis and supported me in all aspects of the organization and work. Most importantly he went above and beyond any expectations to provide me not only with a unique and intense learning experience but also an enjoyable one. III Table of Contents Declaration of Originality ....................................................................................... I Abstract ............................................................................................................... II Acknowledgements ............................................................................................. III List of Figures .................................................................................................... VII List of Tables .................................................................................................... VIII List of Abbreviations ........................................................................................... IX 1 - Introduction ........................................................................................................... 1 1.1 - Aims ............................................................................................................... 1 1.2 - The REXUS/BEXUS Programme ................................................................... 2 1.2.1 - Purpose .................................................................................................... 2 1.2.2 - Programme Goals .................................................................................... 2 1.2.3 - Programme Realisation ............................................................................ 4 1.3 - Important REXUS/BEXUS Programme Definitions ......................................... 8 2 - Literature Review .................................................................................................. 9 2.1 - Related Student Programs ............................................................................. 9 2.1.1 - The Previous REXUS/BEXUS Missions ................................................... 9 2.1.2 - Rocket Flights ........................................................................................... 9 2.1.3 - High Altitude Balloons ............................................................................ 10 2.1.4 - Parabolic Flights ..................................................................................... 11 2.1.5 - Orbiter Programmes ............................................................................... 12 2.2 - Requirements Analysis ................................................................................. 15 2.2.1 - Purpose of Requirement Analysis and Documentation .......................... 15 2.2.2 - Collecting Information for Requirements ................................................ 15 2.2.3 - Outputs ................................................................................................... 16 2.3 - Work Breakdown Structures ......................................................................... 16 2.3.1 - Overview ................................................................................................. 16 2.3.2 - Methods .................................................................................................. 17 2.3.3 - WBS Information Gathering .................................................................... 20 2.3.4 - Organization of the WBS ........................................................................ 20 2.3.5 - Representations of the WBS .................................................................. 20 2.3.6 - Special Considerations for Large Programmes ...................................... 27 2.4 - Scheduling and Milestone Methods .............................................................. 27 2.4.1 - Sample Scheduling Process ................................................................... 27 2.4.2 - Milestones .............................................................................................. 29 2.4.3 - Critical Paths .......................................................................................... 29 2.4.4 - PERT Charts .......................................................................................... 29 IV 2.5