Satellite Structural, Thermal and Propulsion System Performance
Leverage end-to-end structural and thermal simulation workflows to design and validate space satellites, leading to robust designs that meet requirements
Process
Spacecraft Simulation
Advanced simulation for spacecraft design, enabling reliable performance in extreme conditions, accelerating development, and improving mission success.
Spacecraft Simulation for Mission-Ready Design and Performance
Satellites and spacecraft must operate with a high degree of reliability in extreme space and launch environmental conditions. This demands high-performance design for robust communication, power, electronics, and mechanical deployable systems, all under the pressure of an absolute launch schedule.
The SIMULIA high-fidelity physics simulation improves mission success, reduces physical testing, and accelerates development for satellites, spacecraft, and launch systems.
Integrated on the 3DEXPERIENCE platform, SIMULIA ensures traceability across processes, accelerates innovation, and supports smarter, more robust system designs through Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE).
Key Benefits of Spacecraft Simulation
Faster Time to Launch
Accelerate development from idea to first-to-launch
Scalable Cloud Efficiency
Quick deployment, scalability and optimized TCO with cloud solution
Optimized Lightweight Design
Minimize satellite weight without compromising performance
Improved Mission Reliability
Increase satellite reliability and mission success
Communication and Sensor Optimization for Spacecraft
Modern spacecraft integrate a growing number of densely co-located antenna systems, increasing both simulation complexity and the need for accurate insight.
SIMULIA CST Studio Suite leverages a hybrid combination of electromagnetic solvers to deliver efficient and precise simulation across antenna types, including their interactions with each other and the surrounding environment.
Antenna arrays, widely used in satellite communications and sensing, are affected by mutual coupling between closely spaced elements, often leading to detuning and performance loss.
CST’s Array Task enables efficient modeling of both periodic and full finite arrays using a shared layout and excitation profile. With high memory efficiency and GPU acceleration, even large, complex arrays can be simulated in full.
Simulation Empowered MBSE
The adoption of Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) is accelerating as Defense organizations and their supply chains face increasingly complex requirements.
CATIA Magic, integrated with the 3DEXPERIENCE platform, delivers a unified environment for defining, simulating, and qualifying systems across all engineering milestones. This model-centric approach enables early trade-off of alternatives, automated simulation to increase confidence in design choices, reduced risk in concept phases, and higher fidelity through multi-domain integration.
Extended with SIMULIA high-fidelity simulation tools, MBSE models can incorporate detailed structural, thermal, and multi-physics analyses to validate performance under real-world conditions. Together, CATIA Magic, SIMULIA, and the 3DEXPERIENCE platform provide a scalable framework for rigorous, traceable, and efficient systems engineering.
Accelerating Spacecraft Development with MODSIM
Spacecraft systems are growing in complexity under increasing pressure for faster delivery, higher reliability, and seamless collaboration across engineering domains. Modeling and simulation now span the full lifecycle—from concept and design to manufacturing, testing, and operations—requiring a unified, integrated approach.
MODSIM (Modeling and Simulation), powered by the 3DEXPERIENCE platform, integrates modeling and simulation within a single environment to connect data, teams, and processes. By replacing linear, sequential workflows with cyclical, collaborative ones, MODSIM enables true concurrency and simulation-driven design. A single source of truth links evolving requirements, real-time design iterations, and high-fidelity simulation in a collaborative context.
The result: accelerated development, reduced risk, and more robust spacecraft systems engineered with precision and confidence.
Simulation Governance and Data Management
Simulation Governance and Model Management
As simulation tools grow in scale and complexity, managing multidisciplinary interdependencies and diverse data threads requires advanced solutions. The 3DEXPERIENCE platform enhances simulation governance by:
- Managing content lifecycles and relationships.
- Supporting physical and virtual test campaigns.
- Aligning with ISO 10303-243 (MoSSEC framework) for improved traceability and collaboration.
This ensures better decision-making and streamlined workflows.
Simulation Process and Data Management
Defense systems demand high performance and reliability, generating vast simulation data that must be managed effectively. The 3DEXPERIENCE platform streamlines SPDM by:
- Unifying data with project management.
- Ensuring traceability and compliance.
- Enabling collaboration and reducing uncertainty.
- Optimizing workflows for faster mission readiness.
SPDM ensures efficient, reliable, and scalable simulations.
Workflows for Spacecraft Simulation
- Electromagnetic Analysis
- Structural Analysis
Ion Propulsion
A complete simulation workflow for ion thruster design, covering pre-design studies through detailed plasma analysis. Tracking analysis is used for early-stage evaluation, while the Electrostatic Particle-In-Cell (PIC) solver enables transient simulation of plasma formation through to ion extraction. The workflow supports evaluating device efficiency, optimizing performance, and selecting neutral gas types to achieve desired thrust characteristics. A wide range of thruster configurations can be modeled, including gridded electrostatic ion thrusters and Hall-effect thrusters.
SIMULIA CST Particle Studio provides advanced capabilities for low-pressure, low-density plasma simulation. The plasma chamber design, ion extraction process, and particle behavior are modeled using a kinetic approach. Plasma interactions are characterized through collision dynamics and solved using Monte Carlo collision models.
Antenna Array Installed Performance
Antennas are critical to satellite communication and mission success, but increasing density and complex installation environments make accurate prediction challenging.
SIMULIA CST Studio Suite uses hybrid solver technologies to evaluate antenna performance across diverse topologies and installation conditions.
Antenna arrays, widely used for communication and sensing, are strongly affected by mutual coupling, often necessitating redesign and system-level optimization.
The CST Array Task enables efficient analysis of both periodic and finite arrays from a single shared design, supporting scalable performance evaluation.
Kinematics / Deployment
Discrete events such as transportation, launch, separation, and deployment often drive critical design decisions in spacecraft systems.
Abaqus is well-suited to simulate these events, whether static or dynamic, including associated thermal effects and complex material behavior.
For example, deployment kinematics of solar panels, antennas, and thin deployable structures such as solar sails can be accurately modeled using Abaqus.
SIMULIA Industry Process for Spacecraft Simulation
Aerospace Communication & Detection System Performance
Use electromagnetic simulation to evaluate communication system designs during early development stages, leading to better performance and reduced design time
Process
Aerospace System Electromagnetic Performance
Develop and virtually validate the performance of aircraft systems when subject to electromagnetic environmental effects such as lightning strike
Process
Spacecraft Simulation Resources
D-Orbit
D-Orbit needed to build satellites faster while mitigating potential electromagnetic issues on smaller spacecraft. They selected CST Studio Suite to run complex electromagnetic simulations accurately and efficiently and harness the power of cloud-based multi-core computing.
Customer Story
Electromagnetic Simulation for Successful Space Exploration | Dassault Systèmes®
Accelerate space companies' ability to design a system right the first time with the required quality, reliability and safety at lower cost.
Event
Past
Multiscale Simulations of CubeSats | Dassault Systèmes
Watch the replay to learn how SIMULIA CST Studio Suite allows the complete optimization of the antenna system, from the isolated feeder to the complete simulation of all the systems on the satellite.
E-seminar
On demand
FAQs about Spacecraft Simulation
Also Discover
Aircraft Propulsion Systems Simulation
Optimize aircraft propulsion with SIMULIA solutions to improve engine performance, reduce aeroacoustic noise, and ensure reliable turbomachinery integration.
Commercial Aircraft Design
Design faster, safer, and more sustainable aircraft with SIMULIA on the 3DEXPERIENCE platform — integrating high‑fidelity multiphysics simulation and MODSIM.
Defense Aircraft Design
Optimize defense aircraft design, achieve advanced stealth, aerodynamics, and structural integrity through high-fidelity simulations with SIMULIA solutions.
Learn What SIMULIA Can Do for You
Speak with a SIMULIA expert to learn how our solutions enable seamless collaboration and sustainable innovation at organizations of every size.
Get Started
Courses and classes are available for students, academia, professionals and companies. Find the right SIMULIA training for you.
Get Help
Find information on software & hardware certification, software downloads, user documentation, support contact and services offering