Case Study: Lockheed Martin Space Systems achieves automated real‑time MRO simulation and efficient code generation with MathWorks

Lockheed Martin Space Systems Uses a Real-Time Simulator to Automate Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter Development

Lockheed Martin Space Systems faced the challenge of defining the guidance, navigation, and control (GN&C) system for the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO), a multibody spacecraft that must simultaneously point high‑resolution cameras, a three‑meter high‑gain antenna, and solar panels with extreme stability. To automate development of the complex equations of motion and verify flight software in real time, Lockheed Martin turned to MathWorks tools including MATLAB, Simulink, Simscape Multibody, and Simulink Coder.

Using MathWorks solutions, the team translated CAD models into high‑fidelity dynamics models, assembled reusable Simulink/Simscape Multibody libraries, and automated C code generation for a real‑time Orbiter Test Bed hardware‑in‑the‑loop simulator. MathWorks’ toolchain enabled spacecraft pointing simulations to be built in days, produced HIL simulations that ran in under 1 ms of a 10 ms frame, accelerated control-parameter development and verification during the seven‑month cruise, and improved model exchange with NASA JPL.

Lockheed Martin Space Systems

Jim Chapel

Lead Attitude Control Engineer