HPS – Hybrid Simulation Platform for Space Systems
For the development and verification of guidance, navigation and control systems (GNC systems), models of the system dynamics of space vehicles, the expected environmental conditions and disturbances, as well as sensor and actuator models are indispensable tools.
For this purpose, the Department of Guidance, Navigation and Control Systems developed the Hybrid Simulation Platform for Space Systems (HPS) in cooperation with the Center of Applied Space Technology and Microgravity (ZARM) at the University of Bremen. The HPS is a simulation library and a collection of tools for the simulation of space GNC systems. At the moment, the HPS comprises approximately 80 interconnected functions and simulation models for MATLAB/Simulink, which are continuously being enhanced and extended.
The HPS implements highly accurate simulation models applicable to science missions with a high demand for measurement accuracy. These models can be used, for example, to investigate the satellite-instrument interaction and the effect of external disturbances on the measurement signal, to generate data to evaluate post-processing algorithms or to test mission-specific control algorithms. Testing with Hardware-in-the-Loop simulations is currently possible with some of the modules, and will be made possible with all modules in the future.
The HPS library is subject to a quality assurance process in which all module functionalities are tested thoroughly. The validation procedure is based on automated testing and provides extensive test reports. The high-precision multi-body dynamics module is validated with flight data.