Thermal Engineering Consultancy

Turning Nominal Designs into Reliable Systems Through Analysis

Nominalysis provides comprehensive thermal engineering consulting for satellite and payload development programs. From concept of operations to flight qualification, we deliver the expertise needed to ensure mission success.

Who We Are

Nominalysis is a specialized thermal engineering consultancy focused exclusively on spacecraft and payload thermal control systems. We bridge the gap between design intent and on-orbit performance.

Our team brings hands-on experience from flight programs, combined with deep expertise in thermal analysis tools and methodologies. We understand that successful missions require more than just simulations—they require integrated planning, rigorous documentation, and systematic validation.

15+
Years Combined Experience
50+
Thermal Analyses Delivered
100%
Mission Success Rate

Consulting Services

Comprehensive thermal engineering support throughout your spacecraft development lifecycle

1

Thermal Design Review

Independent assessment of thermal architectures, identifying design risks and optimization opportunities across all mission phases.

2

Systems Engineering Support

Thermal requirements development, interface control documentation, and systems-level thermal integration planning.

3

ConOps Development

Mission concept of operations analysis from thermal perspective, including operational scenarios and thermal margin assessments.

4

Detailed Design Documentation

Comprehensive thermal design documentation including analysis reports, design justification, and traceability matrices.

5

Mission Planning

Thermal planning for mission operations including seasonal analysis, eclipse scenarios, and operational constraint identification.

6

Test Planning & Support

TVAC test planning, procedure development, instrumentation specifications, and test data correlation support.

Core Capabilities

Orbital Thermal Analysis

  • High-fidelity thermal modeling using Siemens NX Space Systems Thermal (TMG)
  • Multi-orbit mission analysis including seasonal variations and eclipse scenarios
  • Transient thermal analysis for deployment, operations, and safe mode conditions
  • Worst-case hot and cold case scenario identification and analysis

Thermal Design & Hardware

  • Passive thermal control system design (MLI, radiators, thermal interfaces)
  • Active thermal control specification (heaters, louvers, heat pipes)
  • Thermal control component selection and trade studies
  • Thermal interface design and contact conductance analysis

Test & Validation

  • Thermal balance test planning and procedure development
  • TVAC chamber setup and instrumentation specifications
  • Test data analysis and thermal model correlation
  • Flight acceptance test thermal monitoring and verification

Documentation & Automation

  • Thermal analysis reports meeting industry standards (ECSS, NASA)
  • Thermal interface control documents and requirements specifications
  • Custom Python-based analysis automation and workflow tools
  • Data processing and visualization for thermal test campaigns

Project Experience

Representative examples of thermal engineering work across various mission types

LEO Earth Observation

Optical Payload Thermal Stability Analysis

Complete

Conducted comprehensive thermal analysis for a high-resolution optical payload in LEO. Challenge involved maintaining lens assembly temperature gradients below 2°C to meet image quality requirements. Developed detailed thermal model including primary and secondary optics, focal plane assembly, and mounting interfaces.

20°C
Peak gradient reduction achieved
12
Orbital scenarios analyzed
98%
Time within spec achieved
Deliverables: Thermal Analysis Report • ConOps Thermal Assessment • TVAC Test Plan • Model Correlation Report
6U CubeSat Platform

Thermal Vacuum Test Campaign Support

Complete

Provided comprehensive test planning and execution support for thermal qualification of a 6U CubeSat. Developed thermal balance test procedures, specified instrumentation requirements, and conducted real-time test monitoring. Post-test model correlation achieved excellent agreement with measured temperatures.

±3°C
Model correlation accuracy
8
Test cases executed
45
Thermal sensors monitored
Deliverables: Test Plan • Test Procedures • Instrumentation List • Test Report • Correlated Thermal Model
GEO Communications Satellite

Payload Thermal Interface Control

Complete

Led thermal interface definition between communications payload and bus structure for GEO satellite. Developed thermal interface control document, conducted coupled thermal analysis, and defined thermal interface requirements including mechanical mounting, thermal conductance specifications, and radiator area allocations.

500W
Peak payload dissipation
4
Seasonal cases analyzed
15yr
Mission life assessment
Deliverables: Thermal ICD • Requirements Document • Interface Analysis Report • Design Review Presentation
Smallsat Constellation

Mission Planning Thermal Assessment

Complete

Performed thermal mission planning analysis for multi-satellite constellation in sun-synchronous orbit. Analyzed thermal performance across full range of beta angles, eclipse durations, and operational modes. Identified operational constraints and developed thermal margin assessment for mission concept of operations.

24
Mission scenarios evaluated
18°C
Minimum thermal margin
100%
Operational cases validated
Deliverables: Mission ConOps Thermal Analysis • Operational Constraints Document • Thermal Margin Assessment
Hosted Payload

Detailed Design Documentation Package

Complete

Developed comprehensive thermal design documentation package for hosted payload critical design review. Package included detailed thermal analysis report, thermal requirements verification matrix, thermal control component specifications, and thermal interface documentation compliant with host spacecraft requirements.

350+
Pages of documentation
45
Requirements verified
CDR
Passed first review
Deliverables: Thermal Design Report • Requirements Verification Matrix • Component Specifications • CDR Presentation

Start Your Project

Contact us to discuss how we can support your spacecraft thermal engineering needs.

All project inquiries are handled confidentially. We typically respond within 24 hours.