ESATAN: Current status and future development

The ESA Thermal Analysis Network (ESATAN) software was first made available to users in August 1985. Since then it has replaced SINDA as the mainline thermal analysis tool in spacecraft developments for the ESA, and is the accepted standard for ESA projects. ESATAN is now in use at fifty sites throughout Europe. Over the six years since its release several major modifications to the system have been made, along with a multitude of detail changes. Updates and extensions are continuing to be made in response to user requests and developing computer technologies. The current status of the package is reviewed, explaining its development since the initial release in 1985. The current developments to the system and expected future direction are outlined.