Hubb Space Telescope

Hubble Space Telescope Systems Engineering Case Study

By

James J. Mattice SES (Ret.)

Center for Systems Engineering at the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT/SY) 2950 Hobson Way, Wright-Patterson AFB OH 45433 -7765

PREFACE In response to Air Force Secretary James G. Roche’s charge to reinvigorate the systems engineering profession, the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) undertook a broad spectrum of initiatives that included creating new and innovative instructional material. The Institute envisioned case studies on past programs as one of these new tools for teaching the principles of systems engineering. Four case studies, the first set in a planned series, were developed with the oversight of the Subcommittee on Systems Engineering to the Air University Board of Visitors. The Subcommittee includes the following distinguished individuals: Chairman Dr. Alex Levis, AF/ST Members Brigadier General Tom Sheridan, AFSPC/DR Dr. Daniel Stewart, AFMC/CD Dr. George Friedman, University of Southern California Dr. Andrew Sage, George Mason University Dr. Elliot Axelband, University of Southern California Dr. Dennis Buede, Innovative Decisions Inc. Dr. Dave Evans, Aerospace Institute Dr. Levis and the Subcommittee on Systems Engineering crafted the idea of publishing these case studies, reviewed several proposals, selected four systems as the initial cases for study, and continued to provide guidance throughout their development. The Subcommittee’s leading minds in systems engineering have been a guiding force to charter, review, and approve the work of the authors. The four case studies produced in this series are the C-5 Galaxy, the F111, the Hubble Space Telescope, and the Theater Battle Management Core System.

Approved for Public Release; Distribution Unlimited The views expressed in this Case Study are those of the author(s) and do not reflect the official policy or position of the United States Air Force, the Department of Defense, or the United...