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The main objective of the workshop is to bring together representatives of Space Agencies and Industry to review the state-of-the-art in modelling, simulations and ground systems simulators as well Electrical Ground Support Equipment (EGSE), and to debate the needs and solutions for the future.
The workshop is intended to be the meeting place for both software developers and users in order to share valuable information on the progress on methodologies and tools and also on practices to meet project objectives.
The workshop offers an opportunity to launch new ideas and to receive inspiring input to plan the future work. ESA expects also to receive feedback from the National Agencies and Industry on new Research and Development activities and on the expected role of ESA within the European Space Modelling, Simulation and EGSE community.
Modelling and Simulation
Nowadays, simulation is a key activity that supports the specification, design, verification and operations of space systems. System modelling and simulation can support a number of use cases across the spacecraft development life-cycle, including activities such as system design validation, software verification & validation, spacecraft unit and sub-system test activities, etc.
As the use of modelling and simulation has grown, it has been recognised that a more coordinated and consistent approach to the development of simulation products across project phases can bring substantial benefits. This would promote the most effective use of simulation within the system engineering process to minimise the overall space programme schedule, risk and cost. Industrial experience has shown that a number of simulation and test facilities are procured which are common across all space programmes. Experience has also shown that there is much commonality between the infrastructure and models developed for each of these facilities. This experience has been captured in the ETM-10-21 “System Modelling and Simulation” Technical Memorandum [ETM_10_21] which provides guidance to system engineers on how to use system simulation to support their system engineering tasks with the following objectives:
• Maximise the benefits of using modelling and simulation in support to the Systems Engineering function.
• Reduce effort in developing and maintaining simulators.
• Preserve investment in modelling a system, independently of the tools.
• Improve collaboration between involved teams and communities by addressing distribution and interoperability aspects.
• Facilitate reuse from phase to phase, project to project.
EGSE
As a major constituent of the infrastructure required in the manufacturing, assembly, integration and testing of space systems, the EGSE is of strategic importance to prime contractors in the formulation of their space system development programmes. In addition EGSE development is an important market sector for EGSE suppliers.
In common to the before-mentioned, the EGSE is strongly influenced by software and simulation. Within the testing domain, simulation brings flexibility to the AIT planning and scheduling. Hence another goal of the workshop is to identify how state-of-the-art and emerging information technology can benefit the Assembly, Integration and Test processes of space equipment.
Moreover, commonality between testing and operations is an area which can be exploited for potential benefits of common approaches.
Databases
In support of the above mentioned processes there is an increasing need for Databases in order to store and maintain the System, Simulation and AIT data in a consistent manner. Also this area of System, Simulation and/or AIT Databases is covered by the workshop.
Standards
Development of ECSS standards is an activity in which Industry is very much involved, both in terms of influencing the subjects to be standardised as well as participating to the development of standards. Compliance with commonly agreed standards could open markets for suppliers and enhances coherence across European projects.
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