CLEMENTINE: New Directions and Perspectives for One-of-a-Kind Spacecraft Missions

CLEMENTINE, the Deep Space Program Science Experiment (DSPSE), represents a new class of small and capable spacecraft that enable long-duration space missions at low cost. CLEMENTINE represents a new paradigm in spacecraft systems, i.e., advanced, lightweight, non-spaceflight and nonheritage technologies are major and critical components of the payload, the spacecraft hardware, and the spacecraft software subsystems. The program's success in applying and transferring these low-cost and highly capable technologies to space applications was based on sound developmental practices that are applicable to other programs. This paper will examine the engineering and management approaches used for CLEMENTINE, discuss the methods used to assess, use, and test these technologies, and provide conclusions on the strengths and weaknesses of the development approach. The paper will provide an insight into the common elements of the development approach that may be applicable to other smallsatellite missions.