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Advanced Modeling and Simulation
Advanced modeling and simulation are essential to present and future JPL missions. As an interdisciplinary activity, it enables more thorough instrument engineering, design trade-space analyses, improved science understanding, better representation of operational environments, public outreach product generation, and predictive capabilities of system performance based on quantifiable margins and uncertainties.
Advanced simulation and modeling are fundamental and essential to numerous activities at JPL. Spanning all phases from mission conceptual design, spacecraft systems engineering, instrument development, navigation, science data product generation, and public outreach, these pervasive techniques contribute directly to JPL’s overall mission success.
For instance, in some regimes physical testing cannot be performed and/or the cost of performing extensive validation in a physical test-bed is prohibitively expensive. Performing design exploration space for project risk reduction, first principles physical simulation, data mining to discover new physical phenomena of interest, and design-trade studies for engineering analysis also represent key areas where advanced modeling and simulation are applied. Selected examples include the following:
Current Projects
Dynamics And Real-Time Simulation (DARTS)
DARTS is a high-performance computational engine for flexible multibody dynamics. It is advanced high-fidelity, multi-mission simulation tools for the closed-loop development and testing of spaceflight systems. The DARTS simulator is based on algorithms from the Spatial Operator Algebra mathematical framework. It has been used for many of JPL’s successful missions, such as Galileo, Cassini, Mars Exploration Rover, and Stardust. It is also aiding in simulating the upcoming Mars Science Laboratory mission.
Model-Based Systems Engineering and Architectures
Model-based systems for engineering and architectures is an analysis capability that integrates modeling, mission simulation, data analysis, computational technologies, data management, and visualization to help formulate and validate advanced instruments and associated payload systems. The goal of this new, yet maturing, area is to establish a simulation-oriented basis for developing, validating, and adopting new smart-instrument technologies and associated flight architectures for the next generation of Earth and space exploration missions.
High-Capability Computing and Modeling
Researchers in this area provide expertise in implementing legacy applications or in developing new software on large-scale distributed-computing platforms such as cluster computers. The capability has been demonstrated on legacy applications from engineering such as antenna modeling and trajectory design software, and from science such as atmospheric chemistry, radiative transfer, tsunami, and gravity-inversion models.
Corps Battle Simulation (CBS)
CBS supports training of Army Division & Corps commanders and their staffs in dynamic, stressing combat situations. CBS is part of an infrastructure that senior Army commanders and their staffs use in “wargame” operations. These games allow commanders to learn lessons from simulations that they can apply to real battle scenarios.
Engineering Systems Development Plan
JPL’s engineering system plan encompasses many areas of modeling and simulation development will take place over the next decade. JPL is working to further improve upon its state-of-the-art software capabilities to simulate, model, and plan for future missions.
Research Projects Overview
There are many internal research projects that are being engineered at JPL. They include, but are not limited to, the following:
Integrated Modeling and Simulation for Large Apertures (IMSLA)
IMSLA is a system for advanced computational simulation that integrates heat-transfer, structural-analysis, parallel-computing and optical-aberration capabilities within the Cielo code environment, producing models in which these characteristics are integrated. Such models are vital to the development of future precision, space-based, large-aperture optical systems such as the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) and the Terrestrial Planet Finder (TPF). These instruments will be deployed in microgravity, cryogenic environments and will be expected to operate at extraordinarily high levels of optical precision under automated thermal and mechanical control, but are impractical to fully ground-test prior to launch.
Integrated multi-physics analysis using a common model approach for Siderostat testbed mirror temperatures and precision optical deformations.
Top image: Example of sampling the user selects by choosing orbit altitude, inclination, and sampling space. Bottom image: Line-of-sight interferograms of surface deformation where color bands represent the (3D) surface deformation projected into the line of sight of the radar instrument.
Observing Systems Simulation Experiments (OSSE)
The OSSE simulation tool offers a new capability to examine the potential science return from new missions and analyze the trades in mission design, instrument-performance parameters, and science return. It can (a) simulate data delivered by proposed instrument/mission concepts, (b) define and control error budgets and error propagation, (c) perform science-return-vs.-instrument/mission-design trade studies, (d) verify that quantitative science measurement requirements are met and guide instrument design, and (e) analyze multi-instrument data sets and assess the science impact of combined measurements. OSSE is highly modularized, allowing for easy modification and application to a variety of problems. The current analysis focuses on Earth atmospheric-composition measurements, but the method of analysis is extendable to other measurements and planets.
Quakesim
QuakeSim is a project to develop a solid Earth science framework for modeling and understanding earthquake and tectonic processes. The multi-scale nature of earthquakes requires integrating many data types and models to fully simulate and understand the earthquake process. QuakeSim focuses on modeling the interseismic process through various boundary element, finite element, and analytic applications, which run on various platforms including desktop and high-end computers. Such work is essential to full realization of the science value in future earth-sensing missions such as interferometric radar.
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