Engineers at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center have implemented a new standardized workflow using commercial finite element modeling software. This approach aims to improve the analysis of shock and vibration forces that spacecraft and rockets encounter during launch and ascent.
The team at the Launch Services Program Office recently utilized this software to certify a commercial launch provider’s rocket. By creating custom templates, engineers performed what-if comparisons and verified flight environment testing results, which previously required extensive manual modeling.
The new method replaces older, rule-of-thumb estimation techniques that relied on historical data and engineering judgment. By simulating how structures respond to physical forces, the team can identify potential failure risks and weak spots before hardware is built.
This transition to a standardized digital workflow has already reduced analysis time by months. It allows the team to conduct independent assessments and visualize complex dynamics problems, ensuring that mission-critical hardware is prepared for extreme space environments.
