Modeling and Simulation of Satellite Subsystems for End-to-End Spacecraft Modeling

Abstract

During the past ten years, the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) has been simultaneously developing high-fidelity spacecraft payload models as well as a robust distributed simulation environment for modeling spacecraft subsystems. Much of this research has occurred in the Distributed Architecture Simulation Laboratory (DASL). AFRL developers working in the DASL have effectively combined satellite power, attitude pointing, and communication link analysis subsystem models with robust satellite sensor models to create a first-order end-to-end satellite simulation capability. The merging of these two simulation areas has advanced the field of spacecraft simulation, design, and analysis, and enabled more in-depth mission and satellite utility analyses. A core capability of the DASL is the support of a variety of modeling and analysis efforts, ranging from physics and engineering-level modeling to mission and campaign-level analysis. The flexibility and agility of this simulation architecture will be used to support space mission analysis, military utility analysis, and various integrated exercises with other military and space organizations via direct integration, or through DOD standards such as Distributed Interaction Simulation. This paper discusses the results and lessons learned in modeling satellite communication link analysis, power, and attitude control subsystems for an end-to-end satellite simulation. It also discusses how these spacecraft subsystem simulations feed into and support military utility and space mission analyses.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Apr 01, 2006
Accession Number
ADA453408

Entities

People

  • Christina M. Doolittle
  • George A. Boyarko
  • William K. Schum

Organizations

  • Air Force Research Laboratory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Air Force Research Laboratories
  • Artificial Satellites
  • Engineering
  • Ground Stations
  • Lessons Learned
  • Low Earth Orbits
  • Military Research
  • Operating Systems
  • Payload
  • Reliability
  • Simulations
  • Solar Panels
  • Space Missions
  • Spacecraft
  • Systems Engineering
  • Vehicles

Readers

  • Aerospace Engineering.
  • Computational Modeling and Simulation
  • Oncology and Biomarker-Based Cancer Detection.

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Satellites