A Novel MBSE-Driven Integrated Modeling and Simulation Methodology for Small Satellites Development, (IM3S)

Abstract

Small satellite missions increasingly face high system complexity under tight cost and schedule constraints, making early validation and system design linkage critical. Although Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) provides a systematic approach for managing system complexity through formal modeling, its effective integration with dynamic and discipline-specific simulation frameworks is still limited. This paper presents a unified framework solution approach, namely the Integrated Modeling and Simulation Framework for Small Satellite Development (IM3S).The model-driven approach combines Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE), Quality Function Deployment, and multi-domain simulation within a unified lifecycle workflow.IM3S structures the progression from stakeholder needs and operational concepts to logical and physical architectures. With the aid of embedding simulation activities at each abstraction level to support early verification and informed trade-off analysis. The architecture modeling is done using ARCADIA/Capella models as a single source of architectural and property data. The framework enables consistent traceability between requirements, architecture, and performance assessment. The framework supports decision making in resource constrained small satellite missions, particularly during early development phases.