Case Study: Fokker Space achieves controlled satellite solar array deployment with MSC Software Adams

Engineering for a New Class of Satellite

Fokker Space, a spacecraft manufacturer, faced the challenge of designing a new, smaller satellite with reduced volume and mass to significantly lower launch costs. The difficulty of physically testing the deployment of their innovative Curwin solar panel array in zero-gravity conditions led them to a high reliance on simulation. To meet this challenge, they turned to MSC Software and utilized its Adams multibody dynamics software.

Using MSC Software's Adams, Fokker Space was able to virtually prototype and analyze the deployment mechanism, identifying critical design parameters and validating changes. This process resulted in a controlled and reliable final design. Each simulation took under two minutes to run, enabling rapid exploration. The new design approach helped reduce satellite launch costs from an estimated $10,000 per pound to below $3,000 per pound.