Speaker
Mr
Fernando Martinez
(ESA)
Description
The European Space Components Coordination (ESCC) system has been developed exclusively to support the procurement and space qualification of EEE Components. It is a unique system in that the requirements are not only dictated by end-users, agencies or industry, but are compiled and agreed by manufacturers, component users and qualifying agencies working together in a shared standardization effort. The system is unique as well in maintaining a methodology for Quality Assurance which in fact supports the customers' high level of trust and offers them a reduced cost of ownership - as quality problems are very infrequent with ESCC components. ESCC qualified components are acceptable for use in all ESA satellite missions and meet as well the requirements of most commercial and scientific space missions.
Various schemes of qualification co-exist in the ESCC system, and all have been used over the years to achieve qualification of microelectronics products and manufacturer's technology flows and capability domains.
This presentation aims at explaining the main differences in qualification schemes and to describe in the simplest possible way the steps that lead to ESCC qualification. The roles and responsibilities of component manufacturer and involved agencies shall be explained.
In addition, it may be noted that several standardization initiatives have been developing and running , since some years ago, to build alternative certification schemes in order to address fragmented supply chains. This was reported already at AMICSA in 2012. The presentation in 2016 will show the progress achieved and the status of additional activities related to the same topic.
The ESCC system is supported by some 600+ published specifications. The design of this system of specifications is not as user-friendly as desirable. The presentation will try to offer some helicopter-view of these specifications and their interrelations. The intention is to offer a guide through the system of specifications so that one knows what is a good starting point when approaching the system for the first time, and which parts of it are really mandatory reading to understand it all well.
The ESCC system is based as well on the technical collaboration among its partners (manufacturers, users, agencies). This cooperation is effective in addressing technology harmonization and the development of standards. The presentation will explain these common efforts in some detail and offer links and contact details to those who may want to know more.
In addition to qualification and specifications, ESCC has another visible output, which is the European Preferred Parts List (EPPL). The presentation will address what the EPPL is and how it works, and how it is related to the ESA applicable standards for space components.
Finally, the eventual introduction of a new qualification methodology, currently in discussion within the ESCC community, may be reported at this occasion- but only if it has reached a minimum internal level of maturity (the first 'go-ahead' to develop such approach could be achieved already in May 2016).
Summary
The ESCC system may offer opportunities for the recognition of maturity and space qualification of microelectronics products. This has been achieved in the past and may be supporting the market's adoption of mature components in the future as well, possibly with some necessary adaptations in order to address the peculiarities of the technologies and the present industrial set-ups involved in the production of the components
Primary author
Mr
Fernando Martinez
(ESA)
