Esarad--Improvements to the European Space AgencyS Radiative Analyses 961374

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.