Distributed simulation and collaborative engineering applied to space system design

This paper presents the experiences, architectural concepts, and results of experiments and trials conducted by ALENIA Spazio, Torino Plant, to support innovation in the Space System Design Process. This is based on use of the EDISON (CEC funded project) architecture (v.1) in the execution of engineering tasks in large projects, in which cooperation with other organization is essential. The goal is to accelerate the introduction of these new technologies, aiming to support reduction of the 'time-to-delivery' of design artifacts and of design baseline consolidation. This is of particular relevance in engineering-intensive activities, such as Structural Design, and Operations Analyses. They in fact require continuos loops with ail parties involved in the process to incrementally define and consolidate the satellite functional design and provide related design justifications. Results of trials (as also conducted in the frame of EDISON project) are introduced, providing an assessment on 'technology insertion' feasibility and 'maturity' of experienced solutions. Additional scenarios that are under assessment include the possibility to connect the user's bases for On-board Payloads related activities, during development, training, and operations. The use of collaborative systems again would provide unique methods to enhance the co-operation between Agencies, Industrial Sites, and Science Groups. The lessons learnt and the analyzed impacts on current work-practices show that the in-place System Functional Design Process Model can be effectively innovated, ensuring full exploitation of the technology potential in real space programmes.