Abstract The primary purpose of this paper is to review currently existing cost estimation methods, models, tools and resources applicable to the space sector. While key space sector methods are outlined, a specific focus is placed on hardware cost estimation on a system level, particularly for early mission phases during which specifications and requirements are not yet crystallised, and information is limited. For the space industry, cost engineering within the systems engineering framework is an integral discipline. The cost of any space program now constitutes a stringent design criterion, which must be considered and carefully controlled during the entire program life cycle. A first step to any program budget is a representative cost estimate which usually hinges on a particular estimation approach, or methodology. Therefore appropriate selection of specific cost models, methods and tools is paramount, a difficult task given the highly variable nature, scope as well as scientific and technical requirements applicable to each program. Numerous methods, models and tools exist. However new ways are needed to address very early, pre-Phase 0 cost estimation during the initial program research and establishment phase when system specifications are limited, but the available research budget needs to be established and defined. Due to their specificity, for vehicles such as reusable launchers with a manned capability, a lack of historical data implies that using either the classic heuristic approach such as parametric cost estimation based on underlying CERs, or the analogy approach, is therefore, by definition, limited. This review identifies prominent cost estimation models applied to the space sector, and their underlying cost driving parameters and factors. Strengths, weaknesses, and suitability to specific mission types and classes are also highlighted. Current approaches which strategically amalgamate various cost estimation strategies both for formulation and validation of an estimate, and techniques and/or methods to attain representative and justifiable cost estimates are consequently discussed. Ultimately, the aim of the paper is to establish a baseline for development of a non-commercial, low cost, transparent cost estimation methodology to be applied during very early program research phases at a complete vehicle system level, for largely unprecedented manned launch vehicles in the future. This paper takes the first step to achieving this through the identification, analysis and understanding of established, existing techniques, models, tools and resources relevant within the space sector.


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    Title :

    Review of hardware cost estimation methods, models and tools applied to early phases of space mission planning


    Contributors:

    Published in:

    Publication date :

    2012-01-01


    Size :

    17 pages




    Type of media :

    Article (Journal)


    Type of material :

    Electronic Resource


    Language :

    English


    Keywords :

    AA , Amalgamation Approach , AACE , The Association for the Advancement of Cost Engineering through Total Cost Management International , ACE , Advocacy Cost Estimate , ACEIT , Automated Cost Estimating Integrated Tools , <italic>aces</italic> , Advanced Cost Estimating System , ACostE , Association of Cost Engineers , ADCS , Attitude Determination and Control Subsystem , AGE , Aerospace Ground Equipment , AHP , Analytic Hierarchy Process , AMCM , Advanced Missions Cost Model , ASPE , American Society of Professional Estimators , ATLO , Assembly, Test, and Launch Operations , CBS , Cost Breakdown Structure , CE , Cost Estimation , C&DH , Command and Data Handling , CECM , Cost Estimating Cost Model , CEH , Cost Estimating Handbook , CEM , Cost Estimation Method , CER , Cost Estimation Relationship , COCOMO , Constructive Cost Model , COSYSMO , Constructive Systems Engineering Cost Model , COTS , Commercial Off The Shelf , DDT&E , Design, Development, Test & Evaluation , DLR , Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt (German Space Centre) , EADS , European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company , ESA , European Space Agency , FAA , Federal Aviation Administration , FAR , Federal Acquisition Regulation , GAO , General Accounting Office , GOTS , Government Off The Shelf , HLLV , Heavy Lift Launch Vehicle , HQ , Headquarters , IA&T , Integration, Assembly and Test , ICE , Independent Cost Estimate , ICEC , The International Cost Engineering Council , IOC , Initial Operating Capability , ISPA , International Society of Parametric Analyst , JPL , Jet Propulsion Laboratory , LCC , Life Cycle Cost , LH2 , Liquid Hydrogen , LOOS , Launch and Orbital Operations Support , LOX , Liquid Oxygen , LPA , Launches per annum , LVCM , Launch Vehicle Cost Model , MESSOC , Model for Estimating Space Station Operations Costs , MICM , Multi-Variable Instrument Cost Model , MSFC , Marshall Space Flight Centre , MUPE , Minimum Unbiased Percentage Error , NAFCOM , NASA/Air Force Cost Model , NASA , National Aeronautics and Space Administration , NASCOM , NASA Cost Model , NICM , NASA Instrument Cost Model , OHB , Orbitale Hochtechnologie Bremen , PAF , Project AIR FORCE , PBS , Product Breakdown Structure , PCEH , Parametric Cost Estimating Handbook , PEI , Parametric Estimating Initiative , PLC , Product Life Cycle , PM , Program Management , PRICE , Parametric Review of Information for Costing and Evaluation , RAND , Research and Development , REDSTAR , Resource Data Storage and Retrieval Library , ROM , Rough Order of Magnitude , SAIC , Science Applications International Corporation , SART , Space Launcher Systems Analysis , SCEA , Society of Cost Estimating and Analysis , SE , Systems Engineering , SEER , Systems Evaluation and Estimation of Resources , SOC , Space Operations Centre , SOCM , Space Operations Cost Model , SSCAG , Space Systems Cost Analysis Group , SVLCM , Spacecraft/Vehicle Level Cost Model , TLC , Technological Life Cycle , TransCost Model , Model for Space Transportation Systems Cost Estimation and Economic Optimization , TT&C , Telemetry, Tracking and Command , USCM , Unmanned Space Vehicle Cost Model , VQ , Vendor Quote , WBS , Work Breakdown Structure , Cost engineering , Cost estimation , Cost model , Parametrics , Space hardware , Early mission phase




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