Modeling and Simulation Support for System of Systems Engineering Applications

Chapter 12Using Modeling and Simulation for System of Systems Engineering Applications in the European Space Agency

Joachim Fuchs and Niklas Lindman

European Space Agency, ESTEC, Noordwijk, the Netherlands

12.1 INTRODUCTION

12.1.1 Agency Context

The European Space Agency (ESA) is Europe’s gateway to space. Its mission is to shape the development of Europe’s space capability and ensure that investment in space continues to deliver benefits to the citizens of Europe and the world. It is an international organization with currently 20 member states. By coordinating the financial and intellectual resources of its members, it can undertake programs and activities far beyond the scope of any single European country. In order to achieve this, the Agency draws up the European space program and executes it.

ESA’s programs are very diverse and cover all application and science areas linked to space. They are designed to find out more about Earth, its immediate space environment, our solar system, and the universe, but they also develop satellite-based technologies and services, as well as the required launchers to ensure the access to space and infrastructure to operate the space systems once in orbit.

For its work, ESA cooperates closely with other organizations within and outside Europe. In its daily working, the Agency has to take into account a great variety of stakeholders. At a prominent place are the member states (represented at highest level by the corresponding ministers), providing the ...