SOXS AIT: a paradigm for system engineering of a medium class telescope instrument

TL;DR

This paper presents the design, development, and system engineering approach of SOXS, a high-efficiency spectrograph for the NTT, highlighting methodologies for managing complex, geographically dispersed instrument projects.

Contribution

It introduces a comprehensive system engineering paradigm for medium-class telescope instruments, exemplified by the SOXS spectrograph project.

Findings

Successful integration and testing of SOXS subsystems.

Effective management of geographically dispersed teams.

Framework applicable to similar medium-complexity instruments.

Abstract

SOXS (SOn of X-Shooter) is a high-efficiency spectrograph with a mean Resolution-Slit product of 3500 over the entire band capable of simultaneously observing the complete spectral range 350-2000 nm. It consists of three scientific arms (the UV-VIS Spectrograph, the NIR Spectrograph and the Acquisition Camera) connected by the Common Path system to the NTT, and the Calibration Unit. We present an overview of the flow from the scientific to the technical requirements, and the realization of the sub-systems. Further, we give an overview of the methodologies used for planning and managing the assembly of the sub-systems, their integration and tests before the acceptance of the instrument in Europe (PAE) along with the plan for the integration of SOXS to the NTT. SOXS could be used as an example for the system engineering of an instrument of moderate complexity, with a large geographic spread of the team.