Spacecraft Simulators

Spacecraft Flight Control & Simulation
Octant Technologies excels in spacecraft control systems design, test and operational support. We retain the expertise and library of proven, reusable models to ensure a cost-effective and timely delivery of the end item. Whether providing flight code, test equipment or ground station simulators, you can leverage Octant's skills and tools to your own program.
Performance Heritage
Octant's team of engineers has repeatedly demonstrated superior quality craftsmanship in spacecraft flight code design. We have proven the ability to develop satellite systems to launch-readiness in less than twelve months. And we have developed many missions with a just a handful of flight code engineers. Octant is able to maintain quality while holding down schedule and cost. We acquire quality engineering staff and utilize advanced tools and reusable software modules. Octant's extensive satellite model library traces lineage to generated flight code validated by mission experience. Other models have successfully predicted and tracked recent flight missions as ground support equipment. Past projects include the USAF/BMDO MSTI-I, -II, -III, XSS-10, and XSS-11 mission flight code, test equipment and operations simulators and the flight training simulator for the Boeing IUS/AXAF simulator.
Flight Code Development 
First generated code in space. That unique honor belongs to the design team now at Octant whose engineers demonstrated that superior quality flight control code could be generated at a fraction of the schedule and cost using advanced development and test tools. Use our engineering team resources and tools to develop and test your flight design. They produce demonstrable results: three for three missions on aggressive development schedules with no flight software errors.
Integration and Test
Octant's engineers provide complete design-to-launch services. Our team applies many of our simulation tools with flight code design to certify performance throughout the development cycle. Satellite simulation technology excels in providing dynamic test environments for flight control computer testing ("processor-in-the-loop") and satellite integration and production testing ("hardware-in-the-loop"). Dynamically stimulate and sense true electrical interfaces utilizing Orion/MMS® extensive array of hardware interfaces. It's virtual reality for satellites.
Comprehensive System Development
Octant's satellite simulators play a valuable role at each step of design, test and operations. You can leverage the benefits of software and procedure reuse and refinement using Octant's satellite simulation as part of a complete program of design simulation, flight code production, integration test and operational simulation.
Simulation Technology Heritage 
The International Space Station program's system integration relies upon Octant simulation technology in over 80 installations around the world. MATE simulators ensure that suppliers' products integrate seamlessly into the largest space-based project ever built. Octant's multi-model simulation, now in its third generation of development as Orion/MMS®, serves as the foundation for Honeywell's MATE test equipment.
Ground System Interface
Octant's satellite simulators support AFSCN command and PCM telemetry formats. Our embedded systems engineering team is available to help you develop new and proprietary communications protocols. Third party visualization and control tools readily integrate; recent deliveries incorporated AGI's Satellite Tool Kit (STK®), Vista Control's Vsystems®, National Instruments' LabVIEW®, and Satellite Command Language*.
Simulator Applications
Spacecraft simulators from Octant support a wide range of applications:

Design

  • Rapid Prototype
  • Flight Code Production
  • Design Testing
  • Processor-in-the-Loop
Integration
  • Pathfinder Emulation
  • Telemetry Display 
  • Environmental Simulation 
  • Hardware-in-the-Loop
Operations
  • Operator Training 
  • Mission Planning
  • Anomaly Resolution
  • Flight Briefing
Our Comprehensive Model Inventory Enhances Our Productivity

Guidance, Navigation & Control 

  • Sensors 
    • Sun Aspect 
    • Earth Horizon 
    • Star Tracker 
    • Magnetometer 
    • Rate Gyro 
    • Linear Accelerometers 
  • Actuators 
    • Thrusters 
    • Momentum Wheels 
    • Reaction Wheels 
    • Torque Rods 
    • Solid Rocket Motors 
  • Attitude Determination 
    • Algebraic Two Vector 
    • Star Pattern Recognition 
  • Standard Attitude Control 
    • Inertial Capture 
    • Euler Angle Slew 
    • Small Angle Bias 
    • Inertial Hold 
    • Sun Following 
    • Nadir Following 
    • Local Vertical/Horizontal 
    • Surface Point Track 
  • Environment 
    • Orbital Mechanics 
    • Rigid Body Dynamics 
    • Solar & Lunar Position 
    • Earth Magnetic Field 
    • Gravity Gradient 
    • Julian Date 
  • Ephemeris Propagation 
    • Two Body 
    • J5 Perturbation 
    • Simplified General Perturbation 
    • High Precision 
Subsystem Model Libraries 
  • Electrical Power 
    • Battery State of Charge 
    • Solar Array 
    • Power Configuration 
    • Signal Conditioning 
  • Thermal 
    • Illumination, Radiation 
    • Power Configuration 
  • Communications 
    • Pointing, Line-of-Sight 
    • Range, Other Losses 
    • Acquisition, Lock, Transceiver Modes 
    • AFSCN Auto Remote Track Stations 
Base Band Communication Links 
  • Telemetry Down Link 
    • Time-Division Multiplexed 
    • Packet Switched 
    • Custom 
  • Command Up Link 
    • Tri-Tone 
    • Packet 
    • Custom 
  • Cross Link Network 
    • Simulated Geometry 
    • Link Physics 
Database Management 
  • Telemetry Format 
    • Graphical Tool Connections 
    • Automated Data Conditioning 
    • Variable Rate Sampling 
  • Telemetry Format 
    • Graphical Tool Connections 
    • Automated Data Conditioning

* STK®, Vsystem®, and LabVIEW® are all registered trademarks of Analytical Graphics, Inc., Vista Control Systems, Inc., and National Instruments Corporation respectively.
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