JAXA's New Requirements Management Framework for Deep Space Missions

JAXA has published its updated requirements management framework developed during the Martian Moons eXploration (MMX) mission. The framework introduces probabilistic requirement verification for deep space environments where deterministic verification is infeasible.

JAXA MMX Requirements Framework: Probabilistic V&V

Managing requirements for a deep space sample return mission presents challenges that standard V&V approaches weren't designed to handle. JAXA's published framework offers some practical solutions.

The core problem: Several MMX requirements could not be deterministically verified on Earth (e.g., surface sampling mechanics in Phobos gravity). The framework formalizes probabilistic verification using Monte Carlo methods with documented confidence bounds.

Requirement traceability for long missions: The framework introduces "requirement health" tracking — automated monitoring of whether mission telemetry continues to confirm each requirement's basis assumptions remain valid during cruise phase.

Lessons for other programs: The probabilistic V&V approach is directly applicable to any program where full environmental simulation is infeasible — underwater, high-radiation, or extreme temperature systems.