Minimum Viable Systems Engineering (MVSE) for Rapid Space-System Development

Kurzfassung

NewSpace organisations increasingly rely on rapid hardware iteration, small engineering teams, and compressed development timelines. In these conditions, classical Systems Engineering frameworks, although rigorous, often become too document-heavy and phase-driven to effectively support fast-moving development. At the same time, modern space projects cannot compromise on verification credibility, traceability, or mission assurance. This thesis explores how Systems Engineering can be adapted for these environments through the concept of Minimum Viable Systems Engineering (MVSE). MVSE aims to identify the essential set of Systems Engineering (SE) practices and decision mechanisms that preserve system integrity while reducing unnecessary overhead. The focus is on digital integration, iterative verification, proportional tailoring based on risk, and evidence-centred rather than document-centred workflows. The central hypothesis is that teams with stronger digital continuity, clearer tailoring rules, and more iterative verification practices achieve higher Systems Engineering effectiveness, expressed through faster update cycles, improved consistency, and reduced non-value-added effort. By analysing current NewSpace practices and comparing them with classical SE frameworks, this thesis develops a lightweight, standard-compliant MVSE framework suited to fast-paced space development. The outcome aims to support organisations seeking to maintain mission assurance while increasing engineering velocity and reducing systems engineering burden.