Operational spacecraft simulations: present and future

Operational spacecraft simulators exist to: train operators; validate operational procedures (including innovative procedures that may be needed for disaster recovery or to compensate for failing onboard instruments); validate onboard software patches and investigate anomalous behaviour. The prime benefits of such a simulator are in keeping the spacecraft operating by preventing costly mistakes. Given the role of the operational simulator, the requirements on the simulation tool are quite onerous. This paper discusses the current tools used and speculates on how some of the newer technologies can play a role in the future given the current pressures for reduced development times and lower costs.