A propulsion simulation package in the Tool command language (Tcl)

Kurzfassung

Space safety related simulations can address a wide range of scenarios covering generic aspects as well as specific questions. As an example, there is a need in training for operators/pilots in general handling routines of flying a new spacecraft as well as staying in control in special off-nominal situations. For keeping adaptation needs and effort as low as possible, reusability, flexibility, and modularity of software components play an important role. Evolving simulation scenarios with finer grained conditions during their life cycle can result in the need for additional and/or changed components. DLR’s advanced concept for a suborbital, hypersonic, winged passenger transport vehicle called SpaceLiner, revolutionizing ultra-long-distance travel, has been chosen as a use case for the testing and evaluation of procedures and functionalities for an improved handling of space vehicle operation. To adapt the real-time Human-in-the-Loop Space Flight Simulator to this use case, a SpaceLiner simulation model has been developed by geometry modeled flight dynamics for the commercial flight simulation software “X-Plane”. It bases on a thrustless flight dynamics model for associated descent/approach trajectory analyses. Investigations of the rocket-propelled ascent phase demand the implementation of simulated thrust. For that purpose, a Tcl rocket engine propulsion package has been developed. Its configurable parametrization including the transient regime is described. Package usage test results in a standalone application show a thrust update interval below 4 milliseconds (median). Future options of different human-in-the-loop real-time system of systems integration capabilities are presented and discussed. Realizing an associated solution with as less software adaptation development effort as possible represents a key challenge in this context.