Adaptability in Aerospace: A Historic MOSA Perspective from the Space Shuttle Program

What is it about?

The Space Shuttle Program was a remarkable achievement in space exploration, using both old and new technologies. This paper looks at how the Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA) was applied to the Space Shuttle. MOSA is a way of designing systems so they can be easily updated and maintained. By examining the Shuttle's design and operations, the study evaluates how well the Shuttle met MOSA guidelines. It uses historical documents, accident investigations, and program data to do this. The findings reveal that while the Shuttle had some modular elements, it often struggled to fully meet MOSA principles due to its mix of legacy and new technologies. The paper offers refined MOSA principles that can guide future aerospace programs in balancing old and new technologies, ensuring systems remain flexible and operational over time.

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