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Agile system engineering practices have matured for software projects while hardware system engineering continues to embrace classical development techniques. High technology projects require innovative solutions to meet the restrictions of cost and schedule and still deliver high performance critical systems. This paper addresses the application of the flexible style of agile systems engineering for dynamic, complex hardware and software projects. These projects can benefit from applying the principles of agile systems engineering as has been demonstrated in the software realm. Fundamental to the rapid development is understanding the role of innovation and momentum in agile project management and systems engineering. For post industrial age projects that require non proven concepts, large degrees of uncertainty and ambiguity and extensive non-recurring engineering, agile systems engineering allows for project development with continuous change while addressing risk. Agile systems engineering exploits the role of momentum to allow innovation in the development process while allowing risk interactions to be managed in a disciplined manner. Examples of how these concepts were used on the design and development of two small satellites at The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (JHU/APL) in the Multi-Mission Bus Demonstrator (MMBD) project. This challenging satellite build did not use existing key technology (heritage hardware) and created a large paradigm shift from traditional satellite development. Rapid design and development, a “momentum play”, was used to continuously allow change and assessment in a hardware adaptation of the SCRUM technique seen in Extreme Programming. The MMBD project demonstrates the adaptation of these agile concepts. By freezing late in the design cycle, the MMBD project was able to insert innovations throughout the program cycle. The ability to be innovative related to the speed with which the development progressed, including working quickly through all technology choices. This paper discusses agile systems engineering as applied to both software and hardware. Short of papers on embedded systems using agile systems engineering, there are too few projects demonstrating these adaptations of techniques to complex, innovative hardware projects. The Multi-Mission Bus Demonstrator is an excellent benchmark example of program management of rapid technology maturity in a high technology application. This paper demonstrates how agile systems engineering techniques can be adapted to a high technology development program and shows how project momentum was critical to separate the constant non-recurring technology challenges to be worked rapidly from the engineering risk liens requiring longer time frames to retire. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) is an enormous endeavor undertaken by the Department of Defense (DoD) and the Intelligence Community (IC) to ensure the security of our nation. Within the ISR mission, there is a wide range of techniques used to support information collection including airborne sensors, ground based sensors, human sources, and space based sensors. Most current space based sensors are massive satellites costing hundreds of millions of dollars and supporting a niche mission set. This paper describes the use of a SensorSat; a concept of a one payload/purpose Nanosat that leverages cost effective rideshare launches. This paper also discusses the roles and challenges of a tactical SensorSat. The tactical satellite is a controversial concept evolving over the past ten years under the premise that commanders on the ground in a conflict could own and operate their own satellite and provide tactical effects on the battlefield with the capability. In 2006, a paper was written arguing against investments in Tactical Satellite efforts on the premise that small satellites cannot provide support to tactical operations and the money spent on Tactical Satellites could be better spent on Strategic systems [1]. There have been few discussion articles written since 2006 to further or counter this discussion. Tomme argued that the lack of persistent surveillance in LEO, the communication latency, and the high cost of constellations limit the ability of LEO satellites in ISR applications. With the Multi Mission Bus Demonstrator satellite, we now have a physical, tangible satellite that changes the discussion. The Multi Mission Bus Demonstrator (MBD), built by Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (JHUAPL), is a SensorSat qualified to support DOD and the IC. This paper will review the merits of the tactical satellite concept as a SensorSat and how investments over the past decade have moved the concept to the verge of feasibility for the tactical warfighter. While much still needs to be developed especially in the responsive launch arena, the tactical SensorSat will provide future tactical commanders a valuable tool in his kitbag. Some small satellites (<50 kg), such as MBD satellites, have tactical utility, which could exploit lower cost launches. The paper will describe tactical satellite design, appropriate missions, inappropriate missions, recent and future tactical satellite demonstrations, and finally address the most critical element in the system, responsive launch capability. Further the MBD SensorSat will demonstrate real world applicability to support ISR. The limitations of small satellites are highlighted in the paper. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]