Development of a Multidisciplinary Design Analysis and Optimization Toolset for Integrated Spacecraft Subsystem Models

Modeling and simulation technologies have advanced over the years with many intelligent, cost saving strategies. These technologies have assisted in the analysis and development of many complex, integrated systems. More specifically, the field of multidisciplinary design, analysis, and optimization (MDAO) has taken advantage of many of these technologies. Some of these technologies include design space exploration, variable-fidelity capabilities, and uncertainty and risk analysis. As technological advances in high-speed computing continue to progress, the ability to simultaneously address the variety of multidisciplinary challenges surrounding aerospace vehicle design becomes more tractable. When considering integrated spacecraft systems, some of these challenges take the form of 1) minimizing vehicle cost, 2) reducing mass, 3) increasing propulsion efficiency, and 4) decreasing the likelihood of mission failure. Due to the fundamental competing nature of the ideal solutions to these challenges, the interdisciplinary effects of each of these objectives present an even starker picture. The current effort seeks to improve the state-of-the-art by developing a tool for the optimization of multidisciplinary analysis and performance models for integrated spacecraft systems during conceptual design.