Modern aerospace and space systems design is typically performed with the aid of specialized aerospace software analysis tools and software products. A range of aerospace design software is now available to the aerospace engineering community to be used in an integrated design or integrated synthesis environment. The following list is a partial list of space systems software tools, with emphasis on software that is most suitable to conceptual and preliminary design of future generation space transportation systems, launch systems, interplanetary missions, space exploration projects, and space habitats.
The software list is organized by traditional aerospace discipline. For example, software for propulsion (rocket engine), trajectory analysis, structures, aerodynamics, thermodynamics, trajectory visualization, computer-aided design, flight mechanics, life cycle cost, and overall design integration frameworks are gathered under each major heading. Some of these software products are free while others require a commercial use license. These software products are in use at NASA, aerospace industry, and the Air Force. Unfortunately, there is no list of standard aerospace or space analysis softwares in aerospace engineering.
As a courtesy to the space advanced concepts community, we have provided external links to websites for each of the software tools on the list. Free aerospace software is noted. Updates to this library page will be made periodically.
Propulsion Software
- Burnsim
Commercial, Burnsim.com - Solid propellant ballistics simulation
- Chemical Equilibrium with Applications (CEA)
Gov't request, NASA Glenn - Determines thermodynamic and transport properties, calculates theoretical rocket performance and combustion properties
- Propulsion Sizing, Thermal Analysis, and Weight Relationship (P-STAR)
Gov't request, NASA Marshall - First order engine balance, thermal balance, reliability/ safety assessment, weight estimation, and cost prediction
- REDTOP-Lite
Commercial with Free Academic Use, SpaceWorks Software - Liquid rocket engine performance predictions
- REDTOP-Pro
Commercial, SpaceWorks Software - Chemical equilibrium analysis for various liquid rocket engine cycle configurations
- Rocket Engine Transient Simulations (ROCETS)
Gov't request, NASA MSFC - 1D rocket engine simulation package
- Tool for Rocket Propulsion Analysis (RPA)
Commercial, software.lpre.de - Multi-platform tool for performance prediction of rocket engines
- TURBINE-PAK
Commercial, Scientific Engineering - Vibration analysis of non-linear multi-bearing rotor-bearing foundation systems
- Weight Analysis of Turbine Engines (WATE)
Gov't request, NASA Glenn - Estimation of weight for conceptual turbine engine design
Trajectory Software
- The Aerospace Toolkit
Commercial, Advanced Technology Associates - Functionalities in aerodynamics, orbit attitude and guidance, orbit propagation, coordinate frame transformations, etc.
- ASTOS
Commercial, Astos Solutions - Flight dynamics solver for launcher, reentry, and orbit trajectory problems
- Bullseye
Commercial with Free Academic Use, SpaceWorks Software - Interplanetary trajectory simulation and optimizer
- DG GL-Predict
Free, DG Advanced - Propagator, ground station calculations
- Celestia
Free, Celestia Development Team - Orbit visualization
- FlightSight
Commercial with Free Academic Use, SpaceWorks Software - 3D trajectory visualization within GoogleEarth
- GUI Missile Flyout
Free, MIT Science, Technology, and Global Security Working Group - Simulation of multistage ballistic missiles in a framework with a round, rotating Earth
- Satellite Tool Kit (STK)
Commercial, Analytical Graphics - Orbit trajectory modeling and analysis
- Trajectory Planner
Free, Orbit Hangar - Interplanetary transfer orbit optimizer
- Trajectory Optimization Tool
Free, Orbit Hangar - MATLAB-based trajectory tool
Structural Analysis Software
- Abaqus/Standard
Commercial, DS Simulia - Structural FEA for static and low-speed dynamic events
- ANSYS Professional NLT
Commercial, ANSYS - Linear structural and dynamics capability with nonlinear thermal capability
- ASTROS
Commercial, Zona Technology - Preliminary structural design optimizer
- Beam Analyzer
Commercial, Flight Level Engineering - 2D stress analysis, wing spar sizing, control system load analysis, shear-moment-rotation diagrams
- Composite Analyzer
Commercial, Flight Level Engineering - Composite laminate stress and strain analysis, bondline and flange stress analysis, failure loads
- HyperSizer Pro
Commercial, Collier Research Corp. - Structural failure analysis for beams, panels, and joints, coupled with FEA model
- MSC Nastran
Commercial, MSC Software - FEA solver to simulate stress, dynamics, or vibration of complex systems
Thermodynamic/ Thermochemical Analysis
- AeroTPS
Commercial, C&R Technologies - Aerothermal load calculations, TPS response (i.e. charring, ablation) simulation
- CHEMKIN-PRO
Commercial, Reaction Design - Chemical application simulation
- Gaseq
Free, Chris Morley - Combustion equilibrium analysis
- Sentry
Commercial (by request), SpaceWorks Software - Preliminary design of reusable, non-ablative TPS Systems
- SINDA/FLUINT
Commercial, C&R Technologies - Heat transfer and fluid flow design software
- Thermal Desktop
Commercial, C&R Technologies - Thermal models for electronics and vehicles, integration with CAD
Aerodynamic Analysis
- Aerodynamic Preliminary Analysis System (APAS)
Gov't request, NASA Langley - Aerodynamic estimates for conceptual design
- ANSYS FLUENT
Commercial, ANSYS - Flow, turbulence, and heat transfer analysis
- Athena Vortex Lattice (AVL)
Free, Mark Drela - Aerodynamic and flight-dynamic analysis of rigid aircraft of arbitrary configurations
- Caedium
Commercial, Symscape - CFD tool with GUI, native on Mac
- Cart3D
Gov't request, NASA Ames - Inviscid aerodynamic analysis
- Digital DATCOM
Free, openAE - Static and dynamic stability
- Mac TetrUSS
Gov't request, NASA Langley - Fluid dynamics and aerodynamics analysis and design developed by NASA LaRC
- OpenFOAM
Free, OpenCFD - Lagrangian, thermophysical, turbulence modeling with meshing capabilities
- S/HABP
Gov't request, AFRL - Aerodynamic analysis of complex arbitrary 3D shapes utilizing engineering level methods
- SC/Tetra
Commercial, Cradle - Unstructured mesh CFD software
- STREAM
Commercial, Cradle - Structured mesh thermal fluid analysis
- SURFACES
Commercial, Flight Level Engineering - Aircraft geometry and CFD analysis
- Wind Tunnel for iOS
Commercial, Guillaume Rizk - iPhone/iPad app for flow visualization given user drawn test objects
- XFOIL
Free, openAE - Airfoil analysis under different flows and angles of attack
Integrated Design Frameworks
- Adaptive Modeling Language (AML)
Commercial, TechnoSoft - Multidisciplinary modeling framework
- Isight
Commercial, DS Simulia - Framework for evaluation of design alternatives and optimization of design performance
- ModelCenter
Commercial, Phoenix Integration - Engineering framework that allows for analysis automation and design optimization
Cost Analysis Tools
- NASA/Air Force Cost Model (NAFCOM)
Gov't request, SAIC - Automated parametric cost-estimating tool using historical space data
- NASA Instrument Cost Model (NICM)
Gov't request, NASA/JPL - Predictor of instrument development cost based on historical cost data
- Remix
Commercial (by request), SpaceWorks Software - Automated wrapper generation for NAFCOM to be implemented into ModelCenter
- SEER-H
Commercial, Galorath - Lifecycle cost estimate for hardware, electronics, and other systems
- SEER-SEM
Commercial, Galorath - Lifecycle cost estimate for software development programs
- Space Operations Cost Model (SOCM)
Gov't request, NASA Johnson - Parametric relationships based on historical operations cost data
