OPENSPACE 24: The Future of Space Exploration | Page 8

How does a CDF work?
The CDF’s infrastructure, methodology, and
processes allow teams of experts from different
engineering disciplines to work in close
coordination in the same place at the same time to
complete the most complex designs imaginable in a
matter of a few weeks rather than several months.
The CDF is equipped with all the hardware,
software, and communication tools to create
a multidisciplinary and concurrent design
environment.
In Australia, the use of concurrent design in feasibility studies
is a relatively new concept; its involvement in the global
Dr. Douglas Griffin
space sector has been limited to hosting and operating the
ground segment physical infrastructure or to satellite data
Space Project Lead at the University of New South exploitation. However, with the advent of the “new space”
Wales (UNSW)
Canberra, Australia. paradigm, developing space missions has become a new
priority for the country, and decision makers are using the
methodology to run studies and decide what space projects
will grow and deliver the best value to Australian stakeholders
“We would be able to go from
sandboxing concepts and ideas
in the UNSW Canberra CDF to
qualifying and operating these
missions.”
in the near-, medium-, and long-term future.
Dr. Douglas Griffin, space project leader at UNSW Canberra,
is directing the implementation of a CDF facility at the
institution, which is due to open in October 2017. Once the
facility is up and running, it will be the latest addition to the
capabilities of Australia to conceive, design, develop, and
operate small space missions. “We would be able to go from
sandboxing concepts and ideas in the UNSW Canberra CDF
to qualifying and operating these missions,” explained Griffin.
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