ESARAD is an integrated suite of analysis tools for thermal
radiative analysis. The suite provides modules for: • Geometry
Definition; • Calculation of view factor, radiative exchange
factor and solar, albedo and planet flux results; •Visualization
of models in orbit with pre- and post-processing of radiative and
thermal results; • Reporting of all aspects of the model; and •
Generation of Input Files for Thermal Analysis tools.
ESARAD is driven by a fully developed GUI, providing the user
with a simple, intuitive windows, menus, forms interface to all its
features. A modern, block structured language can also be used to
run ESARAD. This gives the advanced user great power and
flexibility to perform the most complex analyses.
ESARAD was designed and developed between 1988 and 1991 to
replace the VWHEAT software used by ESA at that time. A significant
number of companies are now using ESARAD and a great deal has been
learnt from them about how software should work and the features
which help in their everyday use of the tool. A development plan,
supported by ESA, has taken the lessons learnt from industry to
develop ESARAD into what it is today. This paper reports the
progress and developments over the past five years which have
matured ESARAD into a fully industrial strength tool. The paper
highlights in particular the innovative features developed within
ESARAD to increase the efficiency of the thermal design process and
give users confidence in the results they produce. These features
include: • A new approach to geometry modeling; • Automatic
control over the accuracy of results; •Provision of improved user
documentation; • Automatic pointing of kinematic models; •
Enhanced interfaces to other modeling software; and • Model
independent property database.