{"id":196775,"date":"2025-07-02T09:34:28","date_gmt":"2025-07-02T09:34:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/innovationspace.ansys.com\/knowledge\/?post_type=topic&p=196775"},"modified":"2025-11-26T15:42:05","modified_gmt":"2025-11-26T15:42:05","slug":"scade-and-stk-satellite-attitude-control","status":"publish","type":"topic","link":"https:\/\/innovationspace.ansys.com\/knowledge\/forums\/topic\/scade-and-stk-satellite-attitude-control\/","title":{"rendered":"SCADE and STK – Satellite Attitude Control"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Introduction<\/h3>\n

Modern space missions demand highly accurate and reliable control systems, especially when it comes to satellite attitude control. This article explores how Ansys SCADE<\/a> and Ansys STK<\/a> (Systems Tool Kit) can be integrated to create a powerful simulation environment for satellite embedded software development, enabling real-time testing and validation of attitude control strategies.<\/a><\/p>\n

In this blog, we integrate STK and SCADE to simulate a satellite attitude control software on a host computer.<\/p>\n

Note:<\/em> this article is written using SCADE Suite for embedded software design, but the integration would be similar with our new generation product, Ansys Scade One<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Satellite Attitude Control<\/h4>\n

Attitude control<\/strong> refers to the orientation of a spacecraft relative to an inertial frame of reference. Maintaining the correct attitude is vital for satellite operations, such as ensuring that antennas point towards Earth or solar panels face the Sun.<\/p>\n

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Combining the power of SCADE and STK<\/h4>\n\n\n
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SCADE<\/strong> is a model-based development environment focused on safety-critical embedded software.<\/p>\n

It is used to develop, simulate, and generate code for critical systems, such as the satellite attitude controller.<\/p>\n

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STK<\/strong> is used to simulate and visualize air and space missions, satellite orbits, and dynamic systems.<\/p>\n

It provides realistic physics-based modeling.<\/p>\n

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The integration of SCADE and STK bridges model-based software design with high-fidelity mission simulation. When combined, these tools create a closed-loop simulation environment, where satellite dynamics and control logic interact in real time.<\/p>\n

Use case description<\/h3>\n

In our scenario, a satellite is orbiting Earth with a defined initial state<\/strong> (angular speed and orientation) and a target state <\/strong>(target angular speed and orientation). While its orbit remains unchanged, we want the satellite’s orientation to be actively managed by a software controller. <\/strong><\/p>\n

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\n Simulated satellite with its initial attitude (grey) and target attitude (red)<\/em>\n<\/p>\n

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\n Simulated satellite trajectory and angular speeds<\/em>\n<\/p>\n

Our SCADE Model is responsible for the following:<\/p>\n