Lessons Learned in Concurrent Mission and Systems Design at NASA Glenn Research Center: Almost Fifteen Years of the Compass Team

This paper is a retrospective of the lessons learned during the almost 15-year history of the Compass concurrent mission and systems design team at NASA’s Glenn Research Center (GRC). It examines the key factors in the team’s evolution from a temporary group gathered to perform a single study to the successful, sustainable team it is today. Compass is a matrixed team of experts with various technical backgrounds and personalities. They collaborate over a two-week period either physically in a dedicated meeting space, or virtually to design a space system (Spacecraft, stage, science package, etc). Over the years, because of the rapid nature of the design studies, the team leadership has iterated on the optimal team member personality makeup, facility elements and tools as well as NASA GRC management support necessary to lead to sustained success.