Evolutionary computing for spacecraft power subsystem design search and optimization

Evolutionary computing has proven to be a straightforward and robust approach for optimizing a wide range of difficult analysis and design problems. This paper discusses the application of these techniques to an existing space vehicle power subsystem resource and performance simulation in a parallel processing environment. Using this method, engineers can trade off subsystem goals of mass, cost and performance then automatically size power elements based on their anticipated performance. Our results show that this approach has the potential to improve the space system trade study process.