The significant role of simulation in satellite development and verification☆

The development of a satellite requires a successful and efficient design, integration and verification of a highly complex system comprising many internal interactions on various levels. Moreover, due to the particular operations requirements of a satellite, high autonomy and reliability have to be achieved. On the other hand realistic testing is difficult due to the specific satellite environment. This is complicated by the existence of considerable economic pressure which enforces the reduction of engineering costs and time while maintaining a high quality standard. er to successfully resolve this kind of problem, it is imperative that an effective development and verification process is defined and technically supported by an appropriate simulation environment. EADS Astrium has therefore developed an integrated concept called “Model-based Development and Verification Environment” (MDVE). e of the MDVE promotes the following basic objectives: – tent use of models, data bases and procedures for various purposes throughout all project phases (B, C/D, E) and across different projects. ation of engineering disciplines (operations, dynamics (attitude and orbit control), data handling, electrical power, thermal control). tent process for harmonised development and verification of • ite H/W and S/W, procedures, simulator (for ground segment). evelopment process can be characterised by the following steps: – Simulation (pure simulation) • pment and verification of system design, pment and verification of check-out procedures. re Verification Facility (SVF) • cation of on-board S/W. ime Testbed (RTB) and FlatSat • mputer H/W and S/W in-the-loop (incl. H/W-JS/W compatibility), onal equipment in the loop (FlatSat), onal validation of O/B computer and additional equipment, n simulation test, procedure development. t of System Level Tests. ions Support (system simulator for ground segment, S/W maintenance facility). paper reports on advances in the area of the optimised development process for satellite design and verification and the supporting environment.