DARTS: Dynamics Algorithms For Real-Time SImulation

About this technology

Overview

DARTS is a high-fidelity, spacecraft dynamics simulator used for real-time hardware-in-the-loop design, integration and testing of spacecraft flight software. DARTS meets critical mission needs throughout the spacecraft design, test and verification and operation phases of missions. It allows the use of high-fidelity spacecraft dynamics models without sacrificing simulation speed enabling more reliable flight software design and testing, reduced development costs and reduced mission risks. DARTS has become the defacto standard multi-mission spacecraft simulator used by the fligth projects for their various needs. The DARTS simulator is based upon state-of-the-art computation algorithms from the Spatial Operator Algebra forumlation for multibody dynamics also developed at JPL. The Spatial Operator Algebra is a mathematical approach for modeling the dynamical behavior of complex, articulated collections of bodies interacting with each other in free-space or in contact with the environment.