In order to build spacecraft thermal models and to compute temperatures, ASPI Industries (ASPI) uses in Cannes a complete and coherent software chain. Based on a nodal approach, CORATHERM allows to treat both radiative and conductive problems by using original numerical and mathematical methods.
However, the rapid evolution of the spatial production and ever-growing competition between the different industrial actors makes it necessary to increase reactivity. In this perspective several axes of development have been decided. In the present paper the development of a new pre- and post-processing tool is presented. This tool will substitute our currently used CIGAL software which is getting obsolete.
After a solid trade study about in-house, marketed and freeware possible solutions, ASPI decided to entrust the development of CIGAL 2 to Open CASCADE (EADS) for the advanced capabilities, flexibility and reliability of its open-source software development platform.
CIGAL 2 application combines a virtual CAD model with the CORATHERM solver to perform thermal analysis of spatial radiation on a future satellite. CIGAL 2 enables to model the satellite under study, to prepare entry data files for the CORATHERM solver, then to display the results after calculation. CIGAL 2 will also enable establishing a link with outside CAD applications (CATIA). Since the Open CASCADE solution is highly modular, it will allow meeting future ASPI needs for the treatment of 3D volumes, satellite missions, etc.