The aim of the thesis is to provide the mission requirements for the VEGA Transportation System(VTS), the equivalent of Phase 0 of a space project. The decrease in sizes and masses of the satellites opened the opportunity for the light capability VEGA launchers to contribute and reshape the European space value chain. VTS is envisaged to be an extension of the services offered by the VEGA launcher family, by providing solutions and services of space transportation and orbital exploitation. The elaboration of this thesis followed closely a methodology for defining complex space missions discussed by authors in “Methodology for requirements definition of complex space missions and system” and “Reusable space tug concept and mission”, which emphasizes the need of both, the Functional Analysis and Concept of Operation as fundamental activities to assess and derive the mission requirements. The results section reports a thorough description of the results obtained in the quest of identifying and characterizing new missions requirements for VTS. Specifically, missions for Releasing payload(s) to its/their final position and missions for Providing charter for In-Orbit Verification / In-Orbit Experimentation / In-Orbit Demonstration were exemplified. The mission requirements are summarized at the end of the section. A parallel between the findings and the current space trends is drawn in the Discussion, with details about the target market and how VTS could reshape it. A short discussion on how the entire portfolio of missions are amalgamated, in such a way that as few systems as possible can handle these missions is also provided. Lastly, a comparison between the work performed within the AVIO project and a sounding rocket project is given, providing thoughts about the lessons learned from both of them. Eventually, the conclusions are drawn based on the missions presented throughout thethesis and explains how the entire portfolio of missions will be further analyzed and more requirements will be deployed for the refinement of the entire VTS. / Syftet med denna rapport är att formulera uppdragskraven, motsvarande fas noll i ett rymdprojekt, för VEGA Transportation System (VTS). Minskningen i storlek och massa hos satelliter har öppnat upp för att VEGA, som är byggd för små nyttolaster, kan bidra till och utöka den europeiska uppskjutningskapaciteten och tjänsterna för olika rymdtransporter. Denna studien följer till stora delar metoderna som presenteras i “Methodology for requirements definition of complex space missions and system” samt “Reusable space tug concept and mission”. I dessa publikationer understryks behovet av både funktionell analys samt operationskonceptet som fundamentala aktiviteter för att bedöma och formulera uppdragskraven. Resultatavsnittet går igenom de framtagna uppdragkraven med de ovan nämnda metoderna. I diskussionsavsnittet analyseras nuvarande trender inom rymdsektorn och hur VTS kan vara med och forma utvecklingen samt den tänkta marknaden för systemet. Det diskuteras hur flera rymduppdrag kan slås ihop så att så få system som möligt kan hantera dessa uppdrag. Slutligen görs en jämförelse mellan arbetet inom AVIO-projektet med ett REXUS-sondraketprojekt, med tankar och lärdomar från båda projekten. Slutsatser dras utifrån portföljen av uppdrag som tagits fram för VTS i studien. VTS kommer framöver att fortsätta analyseras samt motiveras med flera argument för dess förbättring.

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The changing nature of work and its competitive characteristics are global phenomena and are mainly fuelled by ongoing technological advancement. This creates unique challenges for talent attraction and the retention of high performing individuals. In addition, the global workforce is becoming more diverse due to demographic, societal and cultural changes and companies are placing greater demands on employee competency and performance. Managing the human factor as a strategic asset in organisations remains a primary challenge in securing a competitive advantage. The road construction industry in South Africa is no different. There is growing competition between civil engineering contractors to secure tenders and to maximise profitability. This is only possible with a sufficient and sustainable labour force. Valid selection processes are therefore required to ensure that the most productive individuals are selected for the most suitable jobs. Reliable and valid performance predictors will assist employers in making appropriate selection decisions. Selecting high performing individuals will support and enhance overall organisational performance. ix In this study the investigation focused on whether psychomotor ability and learning potential are statistically significant predictors of work performance - with specific reference to drivers and machine operators in a road construction company. A quantitative approach was followed to investigate the relationships between variables, or then the prediction of one dependent variable (driver and machine operator performance) by means of two independent variables (psychomotor ability and learning potential). Results from the study did not indicate any statistically significant relationships between the variables. Only scientifically validated assessment instruments were used in the study - which means the findings led to a renewed focus on the importance of performance measurement and the psychometric quality (reliability and validity) of performance data. / Industrial and Organisational Psychology / M.A. (Industrial and Organisational Psychology)

The changing nature of work and its competitive characteristics are global phenomena and are mainly fuelled by ongoing technological advancement. This creates unique challenges for talent attraction and the retention of high performing individuals. In addition, the global workforce is becoming more diverse due to demographic, societal and cultural changes and companies are placing greater demands on employee competency and performance. Managing the human factor as a strategic asset in organisations remains a primary challenge in securing a competitive advantage. The road construction industry in South Africa is no different. There is growing competition between civil engineering contractors to secure tenders and to maximise profitability. This is only possible with a sufficient and sustainable labour force. Valid selection processes are therefore required to ensure that the most productive individuals are selected for the most suitable jobs. Reliable and valid performance predictors will assist employers in making appropriate selection decisions. Selecting high performing individuals will support and enhance overall organisational performance. ix In this study the investigation focused on whether psychomotor ability and learning potential are statistically significant predictors of work performance - with specific reference to drivers and machine operators in a road construction company. A quantitative approach was followed to investigate the relationships between variables, or then the prediction of one dependent variable (driver and machine operator performance) by means of two independent variables (psychomotor ability and learning potential). Results from the study did not indicate any statistically significant relationships between the variables. Only scientifically validated assessment instruments were used in the study - which means the findings led to a renewed focus on the importance of performance measurement and the psychometric quality (reliability and validity) of performance data. / Industrial and Organisational Psychology / M.A. (Industrial and Organisational Psychology)