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ESARAD is an integrated suite of analysis tools for the calculation of view factors, radiative exchange factors and solar, albedo and planet heat fluxes. It will replace the VWHEAT software currently used by ESA subcontractors from the end of the first quarter of 1991.

The ESARAD software is an integrated suite currently under development which will be used for the calculation of view factors, radiative exchange factors and solar, albedo and planet heat fluxes. This paper presents the experience gained as a result of prototyping this system. The prototyping activity was targetted at several aspects of the overall system, in particular the mechanisms for implementing the user interface (which utilises windows, forms and menus with input by either mouse or keyboard), the relational database which stores all the model data including results, and the constructive solid geometry model description. The problems associated with these areas are discussed and the approaches being implemented in ESARAD presented.

This paper discusses the capabilities of the ESARAD software which is currently under development for the European Space Agency. This software is intended to replace the WHEAT package which is used to calculate view factors, radiative exchange factors and solar, albedo and planet heat fluxes. In addition to providing all the capabilities of the VWHEAT package (a LOHARP derivative) ESARAD also provides full 3D-visualisation, a solid modelling capability, XY graph plotting, and is expected to be in the region of two orders of magnitude faster than WHEAT with far better accuracy. The selected method of calculation will also permit the evaluation of specular reflection and transmissive surfaces, After a brief overview of the major aims of the development, the software is discussed from two main aspects, the user interface facilities (how the users defines the model to the system), and the calculation facilities (what can be calculated, and how are these calculations performed).