scope:

Abstract:

Mars Polar Lander had deficiencies in compliance with the principle of "test-as-you-fly," which requires that ground tests and simulations accurately reflect the planned mission profile, plus margin.

Enforce the system-level test principle of "test as you fly, and fly as you test," and carefully assess any planned violations. When using simulations for system-level verification, validate models and include sufficient parametric variations in the simulations to ensure that adequate margins exist.