spacecraftcentric

Spacecraftcentric is a design and analysis philosophy in aerospace that prioritizes the spacecraft itself as the primary unit of design, operation, and validation. In this approach, mission requirements, subsystems, and software are organized around the spacecraft’s architecture, with onboard autonomy and fault management treated as central disciplines. The term is used in contrast to broader mission-centric planning or ground-first optimization, where Earth-based operations or mission objectives drive system design more than the spacecraft's intrinsic capabilities.

Origins and usage: The phrase has appeared in engineering discussions and white papers as space systems grew more autonomous and modular. It is not a formal standard but a descriptive heuristic used by teams developing on-board software, avionics, and spacecraft platforms.

Principles: Key elements include modular, reusable onboard architectures; well-defined interfaces and contracts between subsystems; emphasis on fault detection, isolation, and recovery; data handling and command-and-control autonomy; and lifecycle considerations from development to in-flight updates. Standardized interfaces facilitate cross-mission reuse.

Applications: The approach is relevant for small satellite constellations, multi-mission platforms, deep-space probes, and crewed vehicles where on-board autonomy reduces reliance on ground operations and enables rapid decision-making.

Criticism and challenges: Critics warn it may constrain flexibility if interfaces are overstandardized, and that verification and validation become complex across mission profiles. Adoption depends on organizational culture, safety requirements, and the balance between autonomy and ground oversight.