Delta-Utec IAS

Simulation tools

ETBSim / MTBSim space tether mission simulator

Tether deployment simulation validated against YES2 flight data – a process template for future space tether missions.

Applicability of tether deployment simulation and tests based on YES2 flight data

Typical landing area from MTBSim tether/re-entry Monte Carlo simulations
A typical landing area from MTBSim tether/re-entry Monte Carlo simulations.

This project involved comparison of tether deployment data from the second Young Engineers’ Satellite (YES2) experiment to advanced simulator and ground test results, in order to draw more general conclusions about the predictive value of ground-based preparation for space tether missions.

Analysed were the matching of simulated and flight deployment trajectory, real-life aspects of sensors, control and controllability, end-mass dynamics, the representation of the various types of tether oscillations as well as noise models for tether and deployer hardware.

The extensive preparation performed for YES2 proved to provide a good process template for future missions. It consists of a combination of open-loop deployment testing for hardware characterization, Monte Carlo simulations for algorithm development and assessment, closed-loop deployment tests for system performance and extreme-case simulation, plus testing with emulated deployer hardware for verification.

Measured and simulated tether exit angle with respect to Foton
The measurements and simulation of the tether exit angle with respect to Foton evidence the presence of transversal waves starting from 2200 seconds.

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