Aerospace Systems

Design Analysis of Opto-Mechanical Sensors deployed in Space-Based Systems and Aircraft/UAVs

Working with several key aerospace customers and our strategic software partners (Optical Research Associates, Sigmadyne Corp and Cullimore and Ring Technologies), Comet has pioneered the development of a vertical process solution that enables the evaluation of highly accurate and sensitive sensor systems that must operate in the extremely demanding thermal environment of space as well as survive demanding structural loads. Comet’s space systems customers have successfully modeled and automated the complex multi-disciplinary, multi-physics process known as STOP (Structural/Thermal/Optical Performance) to predict and refine the on-orbit image performance and pointing accuracy of electro-optical sensors.

Aircraft based sensors and laser weapons systems must also be able to operate effectively despite a range of demanding mission profiles and optics disturbances due to temperature variations as well as in-flight structural loads/vibrations (e.g., jitter analysis). The Comet/Optronics STOP process along with adaptor extensions to account for optic wave disturbances due to the earth’s atmosphere can also be used to perform this same type of analysis for airborne sensors and lasers.

Developing complex optronics systems is a multi-disciplinary challenge, requiring intense collaboration between mechanical and optical engineers as well as structural and thermal analysts.

Even the most collaborative teams are frustrated with the need to build and maintain interfaces and linkages between different software systems. Keeping multiple models current to maintain design integrity is a major bottleneck and a drain on productivity.

Building and testing prototypes is extremely expensive, especially for space systems. The more high-fidelity, accurate STOP analysis is performed, the less a program depends solely on such physical prototypes, and the greater the confidence in the delivered system.

Stop working on an island – Engineers who work in the Comet Workspace unify their current 3D CAD tools and other math-based calculation tools such as Excel, MatLab, FEA solvers, optics applications, multi-body dynamics solvers, thermal solvers, meshing tools, and in-house simulation codes.

Download the STOP Brochure here