Accelerating propulsion system development with Dymola

Thistle Rocketry is a UK-based aerospace company developing scalable propellant pump systems for satellites and other in-space applications. Focused on delivering high-performance, cost-effective Propellant pump technology. The company combines innovative engineering with rapid product development to meet the growing demands of the commercial space sector

By adopting advanced modelling and simulation tools, Thistle Rocketry is accelerating design validation, reducing development risk and bringing new propulsion concepts to market.

Validating increasingly complex propulsion systems

As propulsion technologies evolve, evaluating new concepts using manual calculations and low-level simulation becomes increasingly time-consuming and difficult to scale. Thistle Rocketry needed a modelling and simulation environment that could accurately represent thermo-fluid behaviour, validate new designs earlier and support faster engineering decisions.

The key challenges included:

• Replacing low-level simulation calculations with physics-based simulation.
• Validating existing and future propulsion system designs.
• Evaluating design alternatives more quickly.
• Reducing engineering effort during product development.
• Creating a foundation for future model-based engineering.

Simulating real-world propulsion performance

Working with TECHNIA, Thistle Rocketry adopted Dymola to create physics-based models of its propellant pump system. Dynamic simulation is used to accurately predict system performance, support rapid design iterations and provide a scalable foundation for future model-based engineering.

The solution provides:

• Physics-based modelling of propellant pump system behaviour.
• Faster evaluation of design alternatives.
• Reduced reliance on spreadsheet calculations.
• Reusable Functional Mock-up Units for rapid design assessment.
• A scalable foundation for future MBSE integration.

Accelerating innovation through virtual engineering

The project demonstrated that Dymola could accurately reproduce the performance of Thistle Rocketry’s propellant pump system while significantly simplifying the evaluation of alternative designs.

By replacing low-level simulation with physics-based simulation, engineers can assess design changes earlier, compare multiple concepts more efficiently and make decisions using objective engineering evidence. The introduction of reusable FMUs provides additional flexibility, allowing future propulsion concepts to be evaluated with significantly less engineering effort.

The project has established a scalable simulation capability that will help Thistle Rocketry accelerate product development, support future customer programmes and strengthen its position in the rapidly growing space sector.

Fluid Driven Pump
Scalable, Efficient Propulsion, Reducing Spacecraft Mass. Propellant Delivery Upgraded!