Case Study: NASA achieves faster development and real-time 3D visualization of SPHERES satellite control algorithms with MathWorks MATLAB and Simulink

Researchers Test Control Algorithms for NASA SPHERES Satellites with a MATLAB Based Simulator

NASA needed a faster, more reliable way to develop and verify trajectory optimization and control algorithms for its SPHERES satellites aboard the International Space Station, where crew testing windows are often limited to about two hours. Working with MathWorks tools — principally MATLAB and Simulink (plus Aerospace Toolbox, Aerospace Blockset, Embedded Coder, and Simulink 3D Animation) — the team sought to simulate, debug, and visualize complex maneuvers on the ground and aboard the station before using scarce onboard test time.

MathWorks’ MATLAB- and Simulink-based simulator, with MEX-file support for C/C++ Guest Scientist Program modules and Simulink 3D Animation for multi-view live visualization, was installed on ISS laptops and used extensively on the ground. The solution halved development time compared with coding from scratch, let engineers verify algorithms in simulation before flight, enabled real-time 3D visualization of experiments on orbit, and supported educational programs like Zero Robotics.

NASA