Basilisk and Docker for Reproducible GN&C Simulation: A Workflow Reference

TL;DR

This paper introduces a Docker-based workflow for Basilisk, an open-source spacecraft simulation tool, enhancing reproducibility and portability across diverse computing environments.

Contribution

It presents a complete containerization method for Basilisk, enabling consistent setup and execution of GN&C simulations across different systems.

Findings

Successfully demonstrated complex simulations within Docker containers.

Provided detailed architecture and implementation patterns for GN&C scenarios.

Enhanced reproducibility and ease of deployment for Basilisk users.

Abstract

Basilisk is an open-source astrodynamics simulation framework widely used for spacecraft guidance, navigation, and control (GN&C) research and development. Despite its flexibility and computational capabilities, configuring Basilisk consistently across heterogeneous development environments presents practical challenges due to dependency management, operating system compatibility, and software configuration requirements. This paper presents a Docker-based containerization workflow for Basilisk that encapsulates the complete build environment, dependencies, and simulation infrastructure within a portable container image. The workflow is demonstrated through a progression of simulation scenarios of increasing complexity, from standalone orbital dynamics scripts to BSKSim-based attitude dynamics and control simulations with Monte Carlo analysis. The BSKSim class hierarchy, dynamics model architecture, flight software implementation, and scenario execution patterns are described in detail. The presented workflow provides a self-contained implementation reference for GN&C engineers and researchers seeking reproducible and portable Basilisk simulation environments. This work expands upon a workshop presentation delivered at the 46th Rocky Mountain AAS GN&C Conference, February 2024, available at https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15008785.