Simulation & Modeling

Introduction

Modeling and simulation are critical for human spaceflight as they enable in-depth analysis, assessment and verification of spacecraft and mission performance, ensuring the safety, efficiency, and success of complex space endeavors before they are executed in the actual environment. NASA Johnson Space Center (JSC) possesses a wide range of modeling and simulation capabilities, including: integrated simulations of missions, simulation architecture for mission training, a range of simulation environments, virtual reality training for astronauts, power system verification, electromagnetic analysis, communication systems, computational electromagnetics, thermal analysis, coupled loads analysis, dynamic systems testing, and specialized areas like decompression sickness research and management. JSC experts provide capabilities in developing high-fidelity, real-time, human-in-the-loop engineering simulations with math models, scene generation and realistic control station mockups. Expertise is available in software development, including flight and ground systems, real-time, mission critical, embedded software, software integration and hardware-in-the-loop testing. JSC also provides computer graphics and model development for engineering visualization as well as state-of-the-art facilities for testing advanced simulation environments, allowing integration of multiple models into a single simulation. We invite our partners to leverage our capabilities for your own human spaceflight space endeavors. 

Integrated Mission Simulation

Trick Simulation Environment 

Overview | Trick is a powerful simulation development framework that enables users to build applications for all phases of space vehicle development. Trick expedites the creation of simulations for early vehicle design, performance evaluation, flight software development, flight vehicle dynamic load analysis, and virtual/hardware in the loop training. It provides a common set of simulation capabilities that allows users to concentrate on their domain specific models, rather than simulation-specific functions like job ordering, input file processing, or data recording. 

Details |

• Trick Generic Simulation Toolkit for rapid development of high-fidelity simulations
• Modular, reusable simulation packages to model the orbital environment (JEOD), multi-body dynamics (MBDYN), fluid dynamics (GUNNS), robotics (hydra), GN&C (Valkyrie), input devices (IDF), and displays & controls (DCAPP – ready to use applications) 
• Six-Degrees-of-Freedom simulations of single- and multiple-vehicle missions for various flight phases 
• User defined graphical user interfaces 

For more information, see https://www.nasa.gov/general/simulation-tools/.

Trick 13 Simulation Environment is available in the NASA Software Catalog: https://software.nasa.gov/software/MSC-25665-1.

Distributed Simulation 

Overview | TrickHLA is a Trick-based software package that supports the Institute of Electrical & Electronic Engineers (IEEE) 1516-2010 HLA distributed simulation standard and the SpaceFOM. 

Details | The TrickHLA software supports the Institute of Electrical & Electronic Engineers (IEEE) 1516-2010 High Level Architecture (HLA) simulation interoperability standard for the Trick Simulation Environment. The TrickHLA software abstracts away the details of using HLA, allowing the user to concentrate on the simulation and not worry about having to be an HLA distributed simulation expert. The TrickHLA software is data driven and provides a simple Application Programming Interface (API) making it relatively easy to take an existing Trick simulation and make it a HLA distributed simulation. TrickHLA also supports the Simulation Interoperability Standards Organization (SISO) Space Reference Federation Object Model (SISO-STD-018-2020) (SpaceFOM). TrickHLA is available in the NASA Software Catalog: https://software.nasa.gov/software/MSC-26718-1.

Integrated Graphics Operations and Analysis Laboratory (IGOAL) 

The Integrated Graphics Operations and Analysis Laboratory (IGOAL) provides computer graphics services for organizations throughout NASA and other institutions. These services include: highly realistic visualizations of space systems and conceptual design concepts; custom graphics programming for simulations, visualizations, training, education and outreach; and 3D graphics model creation, reduction, verification and validation.

Details |

Computer graphics services 

• 3-D engineering visualization, modeling, and graphics custom software development 
• Animated Graphics for Engineering Analysis (AGEA) 
• Mobile applications for phones and tablets 
• SATERN-style training modules (NASA’s internal training platform) 
• IGOAL software programming supports many platforms including iOS, Android, Windows, Linux, and the web
• IGOAL graphics models can be output in many popular formats including FBX, Blender, AutoCAD, OBJ, and Inventor 
• IGOAL software products include Space Station Research Explorer (mobile devices on iTunes and Google Play), Visual ISS Communication tool, AGEA, EMU Explorer, and Counter Measure Systems Explorer 

For more information, see https://www.nasa.gov/integrated-graphics-operations-and-analysis-laboratory/

JSC Engineering Orbital Dynamics

Overview | JSC Engineering Orbital Dynamics (JEOD) is a software package that provides Trick-based simulation with space environment and spacecraft dynamics models. 

Details | The JEOD Software Package is a simulation tool designed to work with NASA Trick Simulation Environment that provides vehicle trajectory generation by the solution of a set of numerical dynamical models. These models are subdivided into four categories:

1. Environment models representing the conditions surrounding the vehicle.
2. Dynamics models for integrating the equations of motion.
3. Interaction models representing vehicle interactions with the environment.
4. A set of mathematical and orbital dynamics utility models

JEOD is designed to simulate spacecraft trajectories in flight regimes ranging from low Earth orbit to lunar operations, interplanetary trajectories, and other deep space missions. JEOD can be used to simulate a stand-alone spacecraft trajectory and attitude state, or it can be interfaced with a larger simulation space, such as coupling with spacecraft effectors and guidance, navigation, and control systems. More than one spacecraft can be simulated about one central body or separate spacecraft about separate central bodies. The latest version of JEOD, Version 5.x, is available in the NASA Software Catalog: https://software.nasa.gov/software/MSC-27344-1.

Prototype Immersive Technologies Lab

Overview| The Prototype Immersive Technologies (PIT) Lab provides a space for concept operations development, evaluation and testing.

Details | The PIT Lab is used to develop and test exploration technologies such as the Digital Lunar Exploration Sites (DLES) Unreal Simulation Tool (DUST), NASA’s Virtual Exploration Rendered Simulation Environment (NVERSE), motion capture tracking systems and mixed reality technologies.

For more information, see https://www.nasa.gov/general/prototype-immersive-technologies-lab/

Digital Lunar Exploration Sites Unreal Simulation Tool

Overview | The Digital Lunar Exploration Sites (DLES) Unreal Simulation Tool (DUST) is a 3D visualization application of the Lunar South Pole.

Details | The DLES terrain is generated from LRO digital elevation model data, SPICE kernel ephemerides, synthetic surface textures, and representative crater and rock distributions. Its intended use is for early mission traverse and lunar landing simulation capability assessments for HLS, EHP, M2M, and SAO. This 3D visualization tool can be used as an early reference to enable candidate vendors to perform initial studies of the lunar terrain and lighting conditions. DUST is available in the NASA Software Catalog: https://software.nasa.gov/software/MSC-27522-1.

Dynamic Onboard Ubiquitous Graphics

Overview | Dynamic Onboard Ubiquitous Graphics (DOUG) is a 3D viewing tool or graphic engine designed by the Virtual Reality Training Laboratory.

Details | DOUG produces mission specific scene configuration database(s) that are utilized in major simulations throughout NASA centers. These simulations include but are not limited to:

• Simplified Aid for EVA Rescue (SAFER)
• Space Station Remote Manipulator System (SSRMS)
• Ground and on-board
• Systems Engineering Simulation (SES)
• Dynamic Skills Trainer (DST)
• Space Station Training Facility (SSTF)
• Activities at the Virtual Reality Laboratory (VR Lab)

The graphics engine is also used for exploration applications through the Engineering DOUG Graphics for Exploration (EDGE) tool. DOUG is available in the NASA Software Catalog:   https://software.nasa.gov/software/MSC-23586-1.

Simulations for Training

Integrated Simulations of Missions 

Overview | Integrated simulations of missions enable the team to practice management of integrated systems and activities in both nominal and off-nominal scenarios. 

Details |

• Facilitating simulations that support full-task and part-task training activities for flight controllers and crew
• Crew and flight controllers responding to simulation generated data on their displays 
• Simulation capabilities including video/audio, flight-like crew displays, and hardware and instructor/operator interfaces 
• Supporting training activities that include control center and simulation within JSC and remote locations
• Supporting verification of flight operations procedures and real-time flight operations 

Simulation Architecture for Mission Training 

Overview | NASA JSC has developed a simulation architecture for mission training that supports multiple activities and programs with common core elements and specialization where needed to optimize development and training results. 

Details | The simulation computer architecture incorporates a suite of common simulation hosts to support full and part-task training. Commercial off the shelf (COTS) hardware, trick simulation framework, and virtual computers running binary flight software provide high-fidelity simulations across various training devices. 

• A Space Network simulation
• A common simulation interface structure for external partners 
• A capability for training and testing participants to access an activity from a remote location 

Systems Engineering Simulator (SES) 

Overview | The Systems Engineering Simulator (SES) provides immersive, human-in-the-loop simulations of NASA vehicles. These simulations utilize realistic cockpits that are typically installed within a dome visual system and paired with engineering-fidelity models of the vehicle systems and the space environments in which they operate. These simulations are utilized for all phases of a space mission, from early conceptualization through system development, mission planning, training, and operations. 

Details |

• Two dome visual systems, one containing an ISS cupola mockup and the other containing an Orion mockup (either upright or reclined)
• Six-Degrees-of-Freedom (6-DOF) motion table for simulating Artemis assets, including rovers and landers 
• Video wall containing reconfigurable cockpits for assessing advanced concept vehicles 
• Reconfigurable mock mission control and remote operation station for Artemis Missions
• Dedicated Virtual Reality (VR) area to perform integrated Human-in-the-Loop (HITL) Artemis Mission Evaluation
• Math modeling of space vehicles and the environments in which they operate 
• Study/training support to develop initial conditions, verify scenarios, support operations, and post-process data as needed 
• Real-time maintenance support to resolve issues with minimal downtime 

For more information, see https://www.nasa.gov/general/systems-engineering-simulator/ and https://ses.jsc.nasa.gov/index/facilities

System Engineering Simulator Alpha Dome

Overview | The Systems Engineering Simulator (SES) is a simulation facility that houses multiple simulation systems including the Alpha Dome, a real-time, crew-in-the-loop engineering simulator for the International Space Station (ISS). It supports crew training for ISS robotic operations, including the tracking, capture and berthing of visiting resupply vehicles (HTV, Dragon, Cygnus, etc.). 

Details |

• 24′ Diameter Projection Dome with 8’x8’x8′ Mockup Volume
• High fidelity model and simulation of the ISS, visiting vehicles, and Space Station Remote Manipulator System (SSRMS).
• Training support, including scenario setup and real-time operations
• Robotics Work Station (RWS) with real-time SSRMS interaction through hardware and displays
• Backup Robotic Work Station (BRWS) for off-nominal simulation support

Virtual Reality Lab 

The Virtual Reality Lab (VRL) is an Extravehicular Activity (EVA) and Robotics Operation training facility. The VRL uses the NASA Trick simulation environment, Dynamic Onboard Ubiquitous Graphics (DOUG) and custom robotic hardware to provide high fidelity training systems for integrated simulations.

Details |

• VR headsets and tracking systems
• Networked Simulation
• High fidelity model of the ISS, visiting vehicles, and astronauts rendered in VR using DOUG
• Two cable robots to provide realistic force feedback to operators in mass handling scenarios 
• Training support, including scenario setup and real-time operations 

For more information, see https://www.nasa.gov/virtual-reality-lab-doug/

Dynamics Skills Training Technology Lab

Details | The Dynamics Skills Training (DST) Technology Lab develops crew training systems for dynamics operations.

Overview | The DST supports development of robotic arm operations and ISS visiting vehicle capture and docking. The DST incorporates a toolset allowing an instructor to build, deploy, and evaluate crew training scenarios.

For more information, see https://www.nasa.gov/general/dst-technology-lab/

Human Modeling

Digital Astronaut Simulation 

Overview | Digital Astronaut Simulation (DAS) provides a fully dynamic model of a human being, which lets us assess how the human interacts with the space environment, as well as elements within the space environment, without having to put a test subject in a risky environment or in a setting that is difficult to replicate, such as reduced or zero gravity. The team helps to assess and develop exercise systems, offload systems for analog facilities, and extravehicular activity (EVA) capability.

Details |

• Human-in-the-loop data collections with motion capture and force platform measurement in the Prototype Immersive Technology (PIT) laboratory and the Active Response Gravity Offload System (ARGOS)
• Biomechanics simulation using OpenSim and custom developed plug-ins
• Provides dynamic quantities as inputs for Vibration Isolation & Stabilization system simulation and vehicle loads & dynamics assessments
• Analysis to inform human system requirements, characterization, and design iteration

For more information, see https://www.nasa.gov/general/digital-astronaut-simulation-tool/

Decompression Sickness Mitigations 

Overview | Johnson Space Center is a hub for decompression sickness research and management. Resident experts exist within research and operational aerospace medicine, dive medicine, dive physiology, decompression physiology, and exercise physiology, as well as a wide variety of engineering disciplines, including computer science and space suit engineering. This expertise coupled with cutting edge technology development enables NASA to implement leading prevention and treatment modalities for decompression sickness, not only in the operational high altitude and space environments, but in the diving environment as well. 

Details | Johnson Space Center utilizes state of the art software systems to help experts better understand decompression physics and physiology by modeling tissue absorption of inert gases such as nitrogen, nitrogen bubble formation, and nitrogen offgassing during decompression. These analyses enable NASA to better assess the risk of decompression sickness during Center Operations and to help minimize and mitigate such risks. This includes the development of pre-breathe protocols to reduce risk of decompression sickness during extravehicular activities or during suit testing and the development of operational procedures to minimize decompression sickness risk during extravehicular activity training at the Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory (NBL).  

• Pre-Diving Medical Risk Assessment and Mitigation 
• Operational Medical Support 
• Emergency Medical Response Procedures and Capabilities 

Subsystem Specific Simulation & Modeling

Direct Simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC) Analysis Code (DAC) 

Overview | The Direct Simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC) Analysis Code (DAC) software is a specialized tool used for the simulation and analysis of low-density flow fields. 

Details | DAC is like a more familiar computational fluid dynamics tool, but the underlying Direct Simulation Monte Carlo method is uniquely suitable for simulating rarefied gas dynamics. 

Genesis 

Overview | Genesis is a generic, variable-DOF, multi-body flight mechanics simulation. 

Details | Genesis provides generic models for atmospheric properties, winds, aerodynamics, and propulsion. Genesis is designed to enable rapid delivery of trajectory products for new mission scenarios by being flexible and easily reconfigured, even when new environment, vehicle, or flight software models are required. The latest version of Genesis, v0.3.0, is available in the NASA Software Catalog: https://software.nasa.gov/software/MSC-27061-1.

Flight Sciences Lab (FSL) 

Overview | The Flight Sciences Lab (FSL) is a unified computing environment that consolidates all three of the NASA JSC Aeroscience and Flight Mechanics Division’s former computer labs. Its users span the JSC Engineering Directorate as well as various external organizations including other NASA centers as well as commercial and academic entities. 

Details |

• High Performance Computing
• High Performance Storage 
• Engineering Workstation Administration 
• Scientific Software Consulting 

Charring Ablator Response (CHAR) 

Overview | Charring Ablator Response (CHAR) supports vehicle design, ground testing, and flight data analysis for Orion and CCP. ITAR Licensed across industry, mostly supporting defense and civil space. 

Details | CHAR has general thermal analysis capabilities; it is most used to simulate both re-usable and ablative thermal protection systems. CHAR can run on serial and distributed memory parallel computer systems. Within NASA, it has been used to support Commercial Crew and Orion designs and post-flight data analyses. CHAR has 75 licenses across government, industry, and academia. 

Integrated Power System Verification Testing 

Overview | NASA JSC Power and Propulsion Division provides integrated power system verification testing of flight power systems. 

Details | NASA JSC Power and Propulsion Division personnel offer testing of electrical power systems using simulated or actual flight hardware to generate loads and simulate running conditions as well as providing subject matter insight on test conditions. 

Integrated Thermal Analysis 

Overview | At NASA JSC, integrated thermal analysis expertise is available for successful thermal design, modeling, analysis, and testing of integrated vehicles. 

Details |

• Thermal design
• Analytical Simulation/Prediction 
• Independent Modeling 
• Model Validation 
• Standards and Specifications Development
• Integrated Testing 

Integrated Coupled Loads Analysis 

Overview | Integrated Coupled Loads Analysis expertise is available for successful in-space modeling, coupled loads analysis, and environments development of integrated vehicles. 

Details |

• In-space modeling, coupled loads analysis, and environments development of integrated vehicles (i.e., rendezvous, docking/undocking, berthing/unberthing, mated ops, ACS, reboost, EVA/IVA, exercise, plume impingement)
• Analytical Simulation/Prediction, Independent Modeling and Model Validation
• Standards and Specifications Development 

NASA Exploration Systems Simulations

Overview | The NASA Exploration Systems Simulations (NExSyS) team supplies simulation and analysis products to assess the design and performance of vehicles early in the development process.

Details | Models based on proposed vehicle designs are placed in simulated Earth, Lunar, Martian, or interplanetary environments while the performance of propulsive, GN&C, ECLSS, thermal, and power systems are evaluated under a variety of operational conditions.

For more information, see https://www.nasa.gov/general/nasa-exploration-systems-simulations/

Six-Degrees-of-Freedom (6-DOF) Dynamic Test System Facility 

Overview | Six-Degrees-of-Freedom (6-DOF) Docking Dynamics Systems Testing support provide systems requirement definition, analyses, design and testing necessary to support the development of rendezvous, proximity operations and docking system designs and to verify the compatibility of the designs with functional and performance requirements. JSC provides ground facilities, including real-time simulators for development, testing and training for manned and unmanned spacecraft rendezvous, proximity operations and docking operations. Facilities offer high-fidelity, real-time, human-in-the-loop engineering simulations utilizing math models, scene generation and realistic control station mockups. 

Details |

• Simulation of multiple free-flying vehicles with accurate Six-Degrees-of-Freedom (6-DOF) equations of motion
• Docking contact dynamics
• Thruster plume impingement 
• Vehicle control systems 
• Robotic manipulator dynamics 
• Autonomous Rendezvous & Docking (AR&D) 
• Navigation and guidance algorithm development and sensor selection, testing and integration
• Real-time, 6-DOF, short range motion base simulation 
• Open and closed-loop testing of automated rendezvous and docking systems 
• Envelope limit testing of hardware in system level test environment 
• Fault injection scenarios in true off nominal conditions 
• Dynamic Systems testing
• Closed-loop testing of mating interfaces, including contact forces 
• Physical emulation of spacecraft motion with motion platforms 
• Human-in-the-loop control 

Surface Mating 

Overview | On-site expertise available for on-surface docking/mating related mechanisms (latches, lockdowns, linear actuators, umbilical drives, et al) and successful on-surface Docking linear and non-linear contact dynamics modeling, loads analysis, docking simulations, and testing. Includes the development and maintenance of on-surface Docking Standards and cross-interface system engineering and integration.

Details |

• Design, Development, Test and Evaluation of surface mating systems
• Component, System and Vehicle-level Systems Engineering and Integration 
• Analytical Simulation/Prediction, Independent Modeling and Model Validation 
• Dynamic, Static, and Natural/Induced Environmental Testing 
• System Management, Flight Hardware Acceptance, Joint Integrated Testing
• Standards and Specifications Development 
• Avionics, Software and Controls 
• Rapid Prototyping and Evaluation 
• Contact Modeling and Simulation 
• Collaborative Working Environment 

In-Space Mating 

Overview | On-site expertise available for in-space docking related mechanisms and successful In-Space Docking/Berthing linear and non-linear contact dynamics modeling, loads analysis, docking simulations, and testing. Includes the development and maintenance of In-Space Docking and Berthing Standards and cross-interface system engineering and integration. 

Details |

• Latches, lockdowns, linear actuators, umbilical drives
• Design, Development, Test and Evaluation of in-space mating systems
• Component, System and Vehicle-level Systems Engineering and Integration 
• Analytical Simulation/Prediction, Independent Modeling and Model Validation 
• Dynamic, Static, and Natural/Induced Environmental Testing 
• System Management, Flight Hardware Acceptance, Joint Integrated Testing 
• Standards and Specifications Development
• Avionics, Software and Controls 
• Rapid Prototyping and Evaluation 
• Contact Modeling and Simulation 
• Collaborative Working Environment 

Communication Systems Simulation Laboratory (CSSL) 

Overview | The Communication Systems Simulation Laboratory (CSSL) is used for modeling and simulation of both proposed and actual spacecraft communication systems, subsystems, components, and parts. The laboratory hosts high-fidelity computer models of communication systems, detailed structure models, three-dimensional (3D) and planar cuts of antenna patterns, planetary terrain models, and propagation models. 

Details |

• Radio frequency (RF) coverage analysis
• System design and verification 
• Communication system performance 
• Signal analysis
• Frequency management 
• RF compatibility analysis 
• Multipath analysis 
• Communication system anomaly resolution 

Computational Electromagnetics (CEM) Laboratory 

Overview | The Computational Electromagnetics (CEM) Laboratory is used for full-wave, frequency domain electromagnetic simulations. The software, GEMINI, is a Method-of-Moments based solver that has been developed at NASA for over 25 years and is based on a framework developed jointly between the University of Houston, Lawrence Livermore Laboratories, Sandia National Labs, and NASA. GEMINI currently contains state-of-the-art fast methods and algorithms for handling singularities. It has been used extensively to support Shuttle, ISS, Constellation, xEVAs, and commercial entities such as SpaceX and Orbital Sciences Corporation.

Details |

The computational cluster currently consists of 14 nodes with the following specs:

• Cascade Lake CPU (Intel(R) Xeon(R) Gold 6248R CPU @ 3.00GHz)
• 48 cores per nodes (96 threads)
• 384 GB RAM per node (8 GB/core)

Capabilities

• 3D optical scanner for creating Computer-aided design (CAD) models
• Design and development of microwave devices and antennas
• Near–field and far–field analysis
• Radar cross–section calculations
• Antenna coupling analysis
• Verification of microwave and antenna measurements

Related Software

Acute Radiation Risk and BRYNTRN Organ Dose (ARRBOD) version 2.1

Advanced Graphics for Engineering Analysis (AGEA) version 5.7.3

Badhwar-O’Neill 2020 Galactic Cosmic Ray Model (BON2020) v2.3

Beyond Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) Architecture Sizing Tool (BLAST)

dcapp – Displays and Controls Application

Digital Lunar Exploration Sites Unreal Simulation Tool (DUST) Products

Dynamic Onboard Ubiquitous Graphics (DOUG) Software Application

Engineering DOUG Graphics for Exploration (EDGE)

Failure Modes and Effects Analysis Tool (FMEA)

GCR Event-Based Risk Model (GERMCode) Code

General-Use Nodal Network Solver (GUNNS), Version 19.X

Genesis Flight Mechanics Simulation and Trajectory Design Tool v0.3.0

HemoDose Software, Version 2.0

Input Device Framework (IDF)

JSC Engineering Orbital Dynamics (JEOD) Version 5.x

Koviz – A Simulation Data Analysis, Visualization And Mining Tool

Manipulator Analysis – Graphic, Interactive, Kinematic (MAGIK) Robotic Simulation Version 8.1

MBJEOD: An Integrated Multibody and Orbital Dynamics Simulation Module

Mesh_Tools v1.2.0 – Automated Unstructured Grid Shock Fitting Scripts Mesh Extrusion for CFD

MicroStructPy – A Microstructure Mesh Generator for Heterogeneous Materials

NASA Space Radiation Cancer Risk (NSCR) Model 2012

Orbital Debris Engineering Model (ORDEM), Version 3.2.0

RITRACKS: A software for simulation of stochastic radiation track structure, micro- and nano-dosimetry, radiation chemistry and DNA damage by heavy ions

Seeker 1 Simulation

Trick 13 Simulation Environment

TrickCAT

TrickCFS – Integrated cFS and Trick simulation environment

TrickFMI: A Functional Mockup Interface (FMI) Standard Implementation for Trick Base Models and Simulations

TrickHLA: An IEEE 1516 High Level Architecture (HLA) Simulation Interoperability Standard Implementation for Trick Base Simulations

view2space – A tool for computing view factors to space for CFD grids