In the loop simulator for the verification of small space platforms

Abstract

The paper presents an end-to-end simulator aimed at supporting the engineering team in the design and verification activity across the whole product life cycle. The simulator is devoted to the analysis of small space systems, which present specific features if compared to large traditional platforms. Improving the understanding of the system early in the life cycle, and enhancing the verification process may help to increase the reliability and mission success of small-scale satellites while maintaining their key features of low cost and fast delivery. The simulator is designed through a Model and Simulation Based approach and allows performing "in-the-loop simulations" for the verification of functional and operational requirements at component, subsystem, and system level. The simulator is characterized by a modular architecture to adapt to several missions and different system configurations, also outside the space field. The core of the tool is a multi-processor workstation that sets up and runs the simulation, making use of a models database for the equipment and the mission environment, and a built-in interface unit to connect all the elements. The simulator has been successfully tested on a CubeSat project. Many test sessions were run and they are described into the detail in this article.