|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
Simulation and Control
Guidance, navigation and control (GNC/AOCS) design and atmospheric flight mechanics activities for a wide range of space mission scenarios validated through state-of-the art simulation tools
DEIMOS Space has a remarkable experience on the conception and design of integrated on-board guidance, navigation and control (GNC/AOCS) systems for a wide range of space mission scenarios, with emphasis on innovation, overall robustness and on-board autonomy functions. In addition, atmospheric flight mechanics activities such as trajectory optimisation, guidance and flight control system design and vehicle optimisation, are performed in close cooperation with mission analysis tasks. Finally, to support the GNC system design validation, DEIMOS Space also develops state-of-the art simulation tools that include design and analysis utilities, model realistically the dynamics and the environment and provide utilities for performance assessment.
DEIMOS Space has performed GNC/AOCS design activities for the following space mission scenarios:
- Formation flying spacecraft around the Earth and in Libration points orbits
- Atmospheric entry and descent
- Autonomous Rendez-Vous and docking for exploration missions
- Planetary landing with or without atmosphere
- Earth orbiting missions
As a result, DEIMOS Space has acquired an important know-how in this area, which is continuously fed-back in mission design activities within ESA programmes. For the validation of the GNC/AOCS design, dedicated Functional Engineering Simulators (FES) have been developed following ESA ECSS standards.
Sub-areas of expertise:
- Guidance, Navigation and Control Systems: DEIMOS Space, due to the multidisciplinary and synergetic profile of its personnel, is capable of successfully tackling the many technical aspects of the design of on-board guidance, navigation and control (GNC) functions for space vehicles. From complete on-board GNC mission design to advanced technical studies and analysis in specific GNC functions: trajectory guidance optimisation, modern control techniques and autonomous navigation, DEIMOS Space provides innovative on-board GNC/AOCS solutions for any type of classical or new space scenarios: RendezVous and docking, atmospheric re-entry, launchers, non-atmospheric landing, formation flying, etc.
- Flight Mechanics (Analysis & GNC): Within the variety of mission scenarios tackled in DEIMOS projects, atmospheric flight represent an area of excellence, thanks to the solid background of the most senior engineers, gained in ESA activity, at ESA sites and at industry. It involves the development of simulation models and tools for launchers, lifting bodies and capsules, vehicle configuration optimisation (for stability and manoeuvrability), re-entry trajectory optimisation, guidance performance assessment, FCS specification and actuators dimensioning.
- Advanced Control Systems and On-board autonomy: Control problems in space are becoming nowadays more challenging due to need to cope with highly non-linear plants with fast dynamics with an increasing level of autonomy. In this context, DEIMOS Space performs research and application of advanced control techniques (H-inf, NDI, LPV) required to implement these new mission concepts. DEIMOS Space is also involved in the advanced field of autonomous spacecraft systems, by combining its huge expertise in the GNC area with experience in autonomy underlying technologies, such as model based FDI, health management systems and fault tolerant control.
- Simulation Tools for Space Engineering: The conception and design phases of any space mission require an intensive campaign of mission simulations, as a key contribution to mission design verification and, eventually, optimisation. The simulation must ensure that the modelling of space environment is adequate and realistic. Depending on the considered analysis, the key subsystems have to be accurately modelled (i.e. satellite sensors and actuators, and payload operations) considering diverse sources of inaccuracies. DEIMOS Space has a remarkable capacity in providing integrated space mission simulation test beds based on MATLAB/Simulink products, as preferred software environment.
|
|
