The system approach to successful space mission development

Conceptualizing and executing space missions calls for creative thinking coupled with careful and conservative implementation. The engineers and scientists who design such missions must master a 'wide dynamic range' of techniques, from brainstorming to design reviews. Operating in space has never been easy, and the 'better, faster, cheaper' mandate imposed by today's overconstrained budgets has created new complications. This article presents the Laboratory's philosophy for meeting these challenges. (Author)