Towards a CuSEF (CubeSat Systems Engineering Framework)

ABSTRACT CubeSat missions are increasingly adopted by NewSpace actors despite their limited resources and fast‐paced development cycles, often leading to high failure rates. Traditional systems engineering standards such as ISO/IEC/IEEE 15288 and ECSS‐E‐ST‐10C are rarely applied because they are considered too complex for very small entities (VSEs). This paper introduces the CubeSat systems engineering framework (CuSEF), a lightweight yet rigorous framework tailored for CubeSat class IV/V missions. CuSEF adapts ISO 29110 as a structural foundation and incorporates selected ECSS requirements to ensure mission reliability. The framework combines a simplified lifecycle model with model‐based systems engineering (MBSE) practices and leverages artificial intelligence (AI) to accelerate tasks such as requirements drafting and test case generation. Early application of CuSEF demonstrates improvements in cost, schedule, and robustness without compromising agility. Future work includes large‐scale validation across diverse CubeSat teams and enhanced integration of digital continuity and AI‐driven design optimization.