System modelling tools allow analysis of the propellant chemical and fluid dynamic behaviour through the complete propulsion system, from the tanks through the connecting pipes, valves, manifolds, combustion elements and nozzles. These tools support the design and verification of rocket propulsion systems and troubleshoot anomalies during the utilisation phase.The appearance of new propulsion concepts necessitates extensions of these numerical tools.

Supersonic Retro Propulsion (SRP) is a technique to augment the deceleration capabilities of launchers boosters returning from space. SRP involves upstream-pointing thrusters that supplement (and, potentially, increase) the body?s aerodynamic drag to ensure a sufficient velocity reduction.

The AERODEM is an ESA demonstration mission that will implement an aerocapture phase in order to provide an atmospheric ∆V instead of a standard chemical one for orbiting a SpaceCraft around Mars. The aerocapture technique currently studied relies on a discrete event drag modulation technique that modifies only once the aerocapture module ballistic coefficient by separating / retracting the heatshield.

An interplanetary probe must decelerate from a hyperbolic interplanetory trajectory to an orbital trajectory when it arrives at its destination. Currently, this maneuvre is achieved using chemical propulsion, which means that propellant makes up a significant fraction of the vehicle mass. Aerocapture is an alternative concept that instead uses aerodynamic drag from the athmosphere of the planet to decelerate the arriving spacecraft.

Assembly, Integration, and Testing (AIT) processes occur during the phases C and D of the engineering processes of a given flight vehicle. System integration processes take place at the level of engineering models, structural and thermal models, and qualification models of flight vehicles.The current ATD tools cover the phases 0, A, and part of the phase B (B1) for design, and development of flight vehicles. Beyond those phases, the current toolset is not able to cover tasks of system integration and testing (phases C, D).

During this Phase 0 maturation study, ASUK, with the support of Thales Alenia Space (TAS), Nammo, MDA and GMV, performed a programmatic, business and technical assessment of a future low-Earth orbit (LEO) refuelling mission. The mission concept proposes developing and demonstrating core technologies in a preliminary service offering to enable a commercial in-orbit refuelling service. Such a service will swiftly redefine how satellites are designed and operated, launching a dynamic and sustainable in-orbit ecosystem with significant potential.