Digital Mission Engineering

Orbit Determination: An Introduction with ODTK

Orbit determination serves as a foundational cornerstone to almost all modern telecommunications systems. It allows us to accurately discern not only the current, but the future position of satellites in orbit, a vital component to being able to transmit and receive data from these satellites, avoid collisions up in space and plan future space exploration missions. This post explains how orbital determination works and how the Ansys Orbit Determination Tool Kit (ODTK) helps to simplify what can be an incredibly difficult undertaking.

Digital Mission Engineering for Aviation-Based Systems: Part 3 – LEO Constellation and Comms

In this final instalment of our 3-part series the DRM is expanded to incorporate a communications relay from the intercept aircraft to a ground facility. This link is facilitated via a phased array mounted on top of the aircraft and a LEO constellation which serves as a relay between the aircraft transmitter and ground facility receiver. The goal here is to evaluate the access intervals between assets and ensure that the aircraft can maintain a satisfactory communication link to the ground facility.

Digital Mission Engineering for Aviation-Based Systems: Part 2 – Intercept Aircraft

In this second article in our 3-part series, the DRM is expanded to include an intercept aircraft, to be launched if/when the radar’s PDet (Probability of Detection) exceeds a certain user defined threshold. At this point in time, the interceptor shall execute a rendezvous with the target aircraft, before returning to the airstrip a short time later.

Digital Mission Engineering for Aviation-Based Systems: Part 1 – Radar Detection

This 3-part series will explore how DME can be applied to the radar detection of an aircraft, which in turn will trigger the dynamic intercept of that aircraft. This post explains how to set up radar detection and interpret the results as well as how to factor in radar jamming technology and the impact it may have on the resulting data. Throughout this mission, our system will be assessed on its ability to maintain crucial communication links between its multiple assets.

What is Digital Mission Engineering?

Traditionally, engineering processes tend to be segmented, operating in isolation from one another. This typically leads to drawn out project timelines, doubling up on work, and miscommunication between team members. Digital Mission Engineering seeks to bring the entire engineering process into one continuous process through the use of digital modelling, simulation and analysis to incorporate the operational environment and evaluate mission outcomes at every phase of the lifecycle.