NOVEL DEVELOPMENT METHODOLOGIES USING A HOLISTIC VIRTUAL TESTBED FOR MODULAR SATELLITES

摘要

The iBOSS approach (intelligent Building Blocks for On-orbit Satellite Servicing and assembly) replaces the classic satellite design with a standardized and modular system. It thereby achieves sustainability, cost efficiency as well as rapid development on demand. The classic spacecraft subsystems are converted into task specific and standardized building blocks, the iBLOCKs. These iBLOCKs form a modular spacecraft, the iSAT, ready for on-orbit assembly, maintenance, servicing and reconfiguration. As a consequence, the classical development approach mainly carried out on satellite level can be shifted to the use of prequalified iBLOCKs delivered by specialized companies. These iBLOCKs are assembled and integrated into the final iSAT before this iSAT would be finally tested on satellite level. To cope with the increasing complexity and distributed development of iSATs, the iBOSS development methodology heavily uses simulation technology to provide simulations on system level. These simulations are the basis for a simulation-based systems engineering approach. The simulation tool enabling this is the Virtual Testbed iBOSS (VTi). The VTi can be used right from the beginning to close the gap between design, production and test by means of a digital twin of an iSAT. This approach allows for first tests already in early design phases. Furthermore, the simulations are used to test and verify new developments on component as well as on system level. Additionally, each part of the satellite can be developed with the help of the digital twin of the iSAT: physical and virtual iBLOCKs can be integrated into hybrid iSATs to perform functional tests while providing external test stimuli. In this paper, the authors outline the key aspects of the new development methodology, and describe the Virtual Testbed infrastructure and its use throughout the development process with a focus on the development of digital twins. The feasibility and practicability of the Virtual Testbed for the