A Hybrid Modeling Approach: combining MBSE static and dynamic modeling for European Re-entry Vehicle simulation

This thesis presents a hybrid modeling approach that integrates static and dynamic modeling techniques for the simulation of European re-entry vehicles. Rooted in Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE), the research delineates a comprehensive framework that merges the structural rigor of static modeling with the adaptability of dynamic simulation. The introductory section provides an in-depth examination of the Arcadia method, MBSE principles, and the Capella modeling tool, establishing the theoretical underpinnings necessary for the subsequent integration processes. The central contribution of this work is the development of a comprehensivee software bridge between Capella and MATLAB System Composer. This integration not only facilitates the automatic transition from static system architectural models to dynamic simulations but also strategically incorporates subsystem engineers into the modeling process. By leveraging static documents that encapsulate both system level and subsystem-level information, the bridge serves as the critical conduit for information exchange between the two software environments. These documents standardize and streamline the passage of architectural and operational data, ensuring that subsystem-specific details are seamlessly integrated into the overall system simulation. This cohesive approach significantly enhances the fidelity of the simulation process while supporting iterative validation and verification of system architectures within the MBSE paradigm. To demonstrate the practical application of the proposed approach, a case study is presented involving the calculation of the battery duty cycle for a European re-entry vehicle across all mission phases. This use case underscores the efficacy of the hybrid modeling framework, as the developed toolchain is applied to simulate real-world operational conditions, yielding insights into energy consumption and system performance during critical mission segments. The findings of this research contribute to the advancement of MBSE practices in aerospace engineering by bridging the gap between static design and dynamic behavior analysis. The integrated toolchain not only streamlines the simulation process but also offers a scalable solution for complex system evaluations.