Speakers
Description
In the space industry, thermal modelling typically relies on commercial simulation tools such as ESATAN-TMS, NX Siemens, and Systema Thermica. While powerful, these tools are often expensive and complex, particularly for systems engineers working in the early stages of mission design. To address this challenge, the Concurrent Engineering Centre at CNES has, over the past three years, developed a free thermal pre-sizing tool.
This tool is integrated into the IDM-Editor module, which defines the Integrated Design Model (IDM) of the satellite. It enables users to specify satellite configurations, including mass and inertia properties, and supports the creation of mission scenarios. These scenarios may include trajectory definitions, attitude profiles, power modes, articulation sequences, and corresponding ephemerides.
The IDM-Editor includes the standard Geometrical and Mathematical Model functionalities (2D and 3D modelling, bulk and thermo-optical properties), along with STEP-TAS import/export capabilities for supported shapes, materials, meshing, numbering, and topological features (import only). It also incorporates features for setting up a Thermal Mathematical Model, including standard radiative and conductive links, internal dissipations, applied heating power, and other specific items. Moreover, the tool supports calculations of solar, albedo, and terrestrial fluxes. Finally, one of the objectives of this tool is to allow export and interface with detailed professional softwares for refinement.
This presentation focuses on validating and improving the IDM-Editor’s thermal modelling capabilities by solving the discretised heat equation. Validation has been initiated on a test case relevant to space applications.
