COST-EFFECTIVE MISSION OPERATIONS

The present paper identifies and evaluates the various methodologies f or performing cost-effective mission operations within the general fra mework of the 'Faster, Cheaper, and Better' paradigm. Emphasis is plac ed on the mission system engineering process which represents the over all context in which life-cycle cost-effectiveness must be measured. T he paper analyzes the mission system engineering process in which grou nd system design and mission operations are performed and illustrates how the characteristics of that environment determine their costs. The most effective cost-saving management and engineering methods with to mission operations be Specific characteristics be highlighted by refe rence to APL's interplanetary mission NEAR launched on February 17, 19 96. Copyright (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.