Space systems conceptual design: Analysis methods for engineering-team support

The research can be placed in the framework of designing methods for complex systems focused on the conceptual design phase of the systems’ life-cycle. More specifically, the methods presented in the dissertation belong to the category of Operational Research methods. They aim at the creation of design and analysis tools in support of the engineering team during conceptual design activities. Even though the proposed methods are referred to space-systems applications throughout the dissertation, they are easily extendable also to other engineering applications. This aspect makes the research of great theoretical and practical interest also outside the aerospace industry. A powerful methodology was developed that is typical of more specialist applications (for more detailed design phases) and that is flexible and fast to execute at the same time as required for a conceptual design phase of a complex system.