ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the application of the system-of-systems technology for the development of a space foundation that, indeed, may lead to the Federation and star ships. It considers three major programs that are representative of all the unmanned space flights: Mars Science Laboratory, Juno, and the James Webb Space Telescope. The chapter argues that a system of systems should employ the concepts of design by contract in the specification and design of its interfaces. System engineers can mistakenly believe that “stick-and-circle” and other cartoon-like diagrams fill the bill for documenting the architecture of a system. Critical interactions within system software can increase as the complexity of highly interconnected systems increases. Evolving space exploration system of systems may well prove to be the most challenging endeavors in the history of humankind. There are other issues in evolving a system of systems, but solving the problems discussed will dramatically increase the mission success of space exploration.
