E. Common Infrastructures Space Systems Modeling Technologies

In the global space development sector, digital technologies such as MBSE (Model-Based Systems Engineering) and MBD (Model-Based Development) are increasingly used to accelerate development cycles, shorten development timelines, and support the mass production of spacecraft. As a result, development and manufacturing processes are undergoing significant changes. Moreover, as space systems continue to grow in scale and complexity, maintaining international competitiveness using conventional methods alone is becoming increasingly difficult.

Space systems, such as satellites and launch vehicles, comprise numerous elements, including flight systems, ground facilities, and software. Therefore, even high-performance elements that could provide a competitive advantage cannot be fully utilized unless the overall system is properly designed

To address this, JAXA will use logical and physical modeling technologies based on advanced information and computational engineering capabilities, together with systems-engineering expertise developed over many years. By modeling complete space systems, the aim is to evaluate and enhance their value while shifting our focus from activities centered primarily on hardware development to those centered on value and service creation.

Furthermore, JAXA will act as methodologists who address practical challenges in the development of space systems and component technologies by applying digital technologies such as MBSE, MBD, and AI. Through these efforts, the aim is to improve efficiency and accelerate the entire space-system life cycle, from design and development to operation.

Methodologist activities leveraging digital technologies.

Significance of the Research

As the speed and scale of space development continue to increase worldwide, this research leverages digital technologies such as MBSE, MBD, and AI to establish a model-centered development process. Through this approach, the aim is to enable the rapid creation of mission value across the space development sector and to support the development and operation of space systems within shorter timelines and at lower cost. This research will also contribute to innovation in space-utilization services and enhance industrial competitiveness.

Research Objectives

Specifically, JAXA is researching and developing the following four digital technologies:

(1) Architecture Design and Model Utilization Technologies for Transforming Development Processes

JAXA is establishing design processes to explore system architecture effectively at early stages and to enhance system value from perspectives such as customer needs and service outcomes.
In early mission design, digital technologies, including MBSE and MBD, enable system and domain engineers to quickly access necessary information, thereby supporting rapid and efficient system-level trade-off analysis and optimization. JAXA is advancing methodologies and tools to support these capabilities.

Overview of architecture design and model utilization technologies.

Improvements in early mission design processes.

(2) Multidisciplinary Integrated Simulation Technologies for Digital Development

To enable digital development, particularly MBD for increasingly complex and large-scale space systems such as exploration spacecraft, reusable and crewed space transportation systems, and orbital transportation networks, JAXA is developing multidisciplinary integrated simulation technologies based on system-level models.

Example applications of multidisciplinary integrated simulation technologies.

(3) High-Fidelity Physical Simulation Technologies for Digital Development

For physical domains such as fluid dynamics, thermal behavior, combustion, structures, and mechanisms, JAXA is developing a deep understanding of physical phenomena and their underlying mechanisms and building corresponding physics-based mathematical models. These models are essential for digital development, especially MBD.
Numerical simulations are conducted using the JAXA Supercomputer System (JSS).

Full-scale rocket engine combustor
simulation using large eddy simulation technology.

Cavitation simulation in a rocket inducer
using large eddy simulation technology.

(4) AI Technologies for Advanced Information Extraction and Analysis

JAXA is developing a platform that uses technologies such as generative AI while ensuring information security. This platform aims to convert experts’ knowledge, experience, and other accumulated expertise into explicit knowledge and to accurately extract and provide relevant information in response to user queries using system-design information and other data. Through this platform, the aim is to improve the efficiency of development activities.