Modeling graph-based satellite design languages

Increasing complexity in spacecraft design requires new ways for comprehensive problem formulation. Graph-based design languages are an innovative response to this challenge. Using the Unified Modeling Language (UML), design languages are a formal, executable description of the design knowledge. The FireSat mission given in the textbook [1] from Wertz is used to demonstrate the analysis of more designs in shorter time. For automating the design process, the domain knowledge is mapped onto a hierarchy of different modular design languages. Thereby the couplings between the components of the system are resolved and defined as generic interfaces. The variables and equations for the different subsystems are grouped in classes that describe the decomposition of the system. Rules are defined on the instance-level to recombine the different class-instances into a valid design description of the FireSat satellite. A sequence of these predefined rules specifies the integration of the components to a satellite system. The paper is part of a series of three papers. The second paper [2] describes the analysis of equation systems for the whole satellite system. The third paper [3] shows the integration of detailed simulation models using the description mechanisms of the design language.