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Spacecraft & satellites: how Ansys helps

A satellite has to survive launch, then years of thermal cycling and radiation with no repair truck in sight — and still close its mission's link and coverage math. Simulation is the only affordable way to prove all of that on the ground.

Spacecraft & satellites simulation visualization

Illustrative simulation render. Actual studies are built to your geometry and requirements.

The Ansys tools that model it

Mechanical — Verifies the structure against launch vibration, shock, and quasi-static loads, plus on-orbit thermal-elastic distortion.
STK — Designs the mission — orbits, coverage, access windows, and link budgets — and communicates it to reviewers.
ODTK — Adds precise orbit determination and tracking analysis for operations and space-domain awareness.

Mechanical ↗Fluent ↗STK ↗ODTK ↗

Who funds it

Programs that fund this work

Typical funders: SpaceWERX · NSIC · NASA · DIU. Explore award sizes, deadlines, and direct links to every source in the Funding Finder.

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What we provide

Free to start

Free Ansys evaluation licenses for the tools above, free engineering support to apply them to your MVP, and a free check on your Ansys Startup Program eligibility. Software and engineering only, never application advice.

How the free offers work →

Talk it through

Simulating spacecraft & satellites? Let's get Ansys in your hands.

Tell us about your project — incorporated, in stealth, or still an idea — and we'll line up the right Ansys tools and an engineer to help you validate the physics.

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Relevant Ansys product pages: Mechanical on ansys.com ↗ Fluent on ansys.com ↗ STK on ansys.com ↗ ODTK on ansys.com ↗