Electric Propulsion Simulator Console for Spacecraft Fault Testing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spacecraft testing systems lack comprehensive simulation capabilities for electric propulsion units, particularly in simulating various operating conditions and fault scenarios, which hinders the reliability and fault detection of power processing units and propulsion systems.
Innovation Solution
The development of an electric propulsion simulator console (EPSC) that electronically simulates electric propulsion assemblies, including thruster electrical interfaces, propulsion fuel control components, and positioning components, capable of testing multiple thruster interfaces simultaneously and continuously, and simulating fault conditions to evaluate the spacecraft's ability to detect and react to faults.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If comprehensive simulation capabilities for electric propulsion units are implemented, then reliability and fault detection capabilities are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The simulator is divided into multiple independent simulation modules, each responsible for specific propulsion unit components (power processing unit, propellant management assembly, electrical thrusters, positioners, fuel valves). This segmentation allows comprehensive simulation of complex electric propulsion systems while maintaining manageable complexity through modular architecture, where each module can be independently configured and tested.
Solution Approach 2:
The simulator is designed as a universal testing platform capable of simulating multiple operating conditions (normal operation, transient states, fault states) and multiple thruster configurations simultaneously. The system can adapt to different spacecraft propulsion systems through configurable load characteristics, making it a multi-functional tool that improves reliability across various applications without requiring separate specialized simulators for each scenario.
2Productivity
If multiple thruster interfaces are tested simultaneously and continuously, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The simulator merges multiple thruster interface simulations into a single integrated platform, allowing simultaneous and continuous testing of multiple thrusters. By combining the power processing unit simulator, propellant management assembly simulator, and electrical thruster simulators into one unified system, the platform achieves parallel testing capability that improves productivity without proportionally increasing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The simulator enables continuous testing operations where multiple thruster interfaces can be tested simultaneously without interruption. The system maintains continuous simulation of propulsion unit operations, allowing uninterrupted testing sequences that improve productivity by eliminating idle time between tests and enabling continuous monitoring of multiple systems concurrently.
3Reliability
If fault conditions are simulated to evaluate detection and reaction capabilities, then reliability is improved, but use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The simulator changes operational parameters to represent different fault conditions (e.g., varying electrical loads, propellant flow rates, valve positions) to evaluate the spacecraft's fault detection and reaction capabilities. By dynamically adjusting simulation parameters to match various fault scenarios, the system enables comprehensive reliability testing without requiring excessive energy consumption, as the parameter changes are implemented through software configuration rather than physical resource expenditure.
Data Source
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AI summary
An electric propulsion simulator console (EPSC) (200) which electronically simulates an electric propulsion assembly of a spacecraft as well as propulsion fuel control components and positioning components of the spacecraft. The EPSC (200) simulates a spacecraft thruster electrical interface can test four thruster interfaces simultaneously and continuously. The simulator additionally facilitates the testing of spacecraft fault detection, isolation, and recovery by simulating failed magnet circuits, open anode paths, and flameout conditions. The EPSC includes an electrical propulsion unit load simulator (210) adapted to receive propulsion unit control signals from a spacecraft under test and a spacecraft propulsion unit positioner simulator (215) the simulator adapted to display a simulated state of three axes of movement for at least one propulsion unit positioner responsive to positioning signals received from the spacecraft under test. A propulsion unit fuel valve simulator (215) is also provided and can display a simulated state of propulsion unit fuel valves responsive to control signals received from the spacecraft under test.