Introduction

This standard forms part of the System Engineering branch (ECSS-E-10) of the Engineering area of the ECSS system. As such it is intended to assist in the consistent application of space environment engineering to space products through specification of required or recommended methods, data and models to the problem of ensuring best performance, problem avoidance or survivability of a product in the space environment.

The space environment can cause severe problems for space systems. Proper assessment of the potential effects is part of the system engineering process as defined in ECSS-E-ST-10_. This is performed in the early phases of a mission when consideration is given to e.g. orbit selection, mass budget, thermal protection, and component selection policy. As the design of a space system is developed, further engineering iteration is normally necessary with more detailed analysis.

In this Standard, each component of the space environment is treated separately, although synergies and cross-linking of models are specified. Informative annexes are provided as explanatory background information associated with each clause.