Simulation Equipped for Future Moon Missions

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Synopsys is working with EMA and Cesium to virtually recreate components, systems and the lunar environment to test the functionality of equipment for future Artemis missions.

NASA relies on Synopsys and EMA solutions to test spacesuit compatibility with lunar conditions. The collaboration builds on Synopsys' ongoing support of future Artemis missions. It also includes a joint initiative with Cesium, a Bentley Systems company, and NASA's Glenn Research Center in Cleveland. The aim is to use digital twin technology to investigate whether mobile radio systems work reliably under conditions on the moon. 

The joint project between EMA and Synopsys focuses on minimizing the risks of systems for extravehicular activities (EVA) - specifically for spacesuits. The focus is on two phenomena: frictional electricity caused by interactions with the lunar regolith and electrical charging and electrostatic discharge (ESD) caused by the space plasma. Analyzing the charge levels that the complex, multi-layered Artemis spacesuits may be exposed to on the Moon is a critical requirement for sustained operations on the lunar surface. ESD events can damage mission-critical electronics, such as the communication and life support systems.

Testing Spacesuits Under Relevant Lunar Plasma Conditions

In the planned approach, EMA and Synopsys will develop and apply physics-based analysis workflows based on Ansys Charge Plus. This software simulation tool for electromagnetic charging and discharging processes is used to evaluate spacesuit materials, layered structures and representative suit components under relevant lunar plasma conditions. Charge Plus is currently the only commercially available software that can fully calculate such space charging problems in 3D. This is achieved by jointly modeling the interactions between plasma, surface charge, charge transport and electrostatic discharge (ESD) in complex multi-component systems.

These simulation activities are complemented by testing and validation work at EMA's Space Environment and Radiation Effects (SERE) Laboratory in Pittsfield, Massachusetts - one of the few facilities in the world that can reproduce key aspects of space plasma under laboratory conditions. With this integrated simulation and testing approach, the teams can identify charging drivers, evaluate design variants and focus validation where it matters most for astronaut safety and mission success.

To build a lunar network, a digital moon must first be created. Cesium's high-precision digital twin provides a virtual stage to test how communication signals interact with the complex lunar topography. This allows network reliability to be validated and mission-critical connectivity to be ensured before the hardware is installed.

Patrick Cozzi, Chief Platform Officer, Bentley Systems

Simulating and Validating Connectivity on a Future Lunar Base

In parallel with the spacesuit validation, Cesium integrated three-dimensional geodata and high-precision lunar topography into Synopsys' digital mission technology environment. There, the propagation of radio frequency (RF) signals is analyzed using Ansys RF Channel Modeler software. In addition, Ansys HFSS is used for high-precision antenna models installed on spacesuits and rovers. These models provide insights into end-to-end connectivity across the lunar surface.

The Lunar 3GPP team at NASA's Glenn Research Center is using this solution to visualize and validate RF coverage in realistic operational scenarios. The insights gained can help determine optimal locations for radio equipment to ensure connectivity around a future lunar base.

Virtual Modeling, Testing and further Development of Designs

The further we venture into the inhospitable yet promising environment of space, the faster, more determined and more efficient we need to develop solutions.

Jim Bridenstine

"The Artemis program is an ambitious collaborative project. The goal is to return humans to the moon and establish a permanent presence there as a base for future exploration," adds Jim Bridenstine, former NASA administrator and current consultant at AGI (Synopsys). "The further we go into the inhospitable yet promising environment of space, the faster, more decisively and efficiently we need to develop solutions. Digital engineering technologies help teams to virtually model, test and refine designs before hardware is built. This is an important step in reducing risks early and driving innovation faster."