Mass & Inertia

Mass Properties and Inertia Analysis
Understanding how mass is distributed across a flight vehicle is critical to its performance, control, and safety. At Fabexco, we perform detailed mass and inertia analyses using computer-aided models and traceable mathematical methods – ensuring precise evaluation of structural, payload, and system-level contributions to weight and balance.

Working from your preliminary design and system requirements, we develop a comprehensive mass properties model that supports configuration refinement, structural optimization, and flight dynamics integration – all while accounting for the evolving nature of design maturity.

Our services include:

• Mass Breakdown by Subsystem: Grouped by structural elements, propulsion, payload, avionics, landing gear, and operational items
• Moment of Inertia (MOI) Tensor Analysis: Full 6DOF inertia modeling for dynamic simulations and control law development
• Center of Gravity (CG) Tracking: CG location analysis across flight configurations, loadouts, and mission phases
• CG Travel Envelope Assessment: Identifying and visualizing CG shifts due to payload movement, gear retraction, or fuel burn
• Fuel Burn & Mass Variation Modeling: Variation of mass properties through mission profiles
• Load Case Integration: Linking mass and inertia outputs to sizing and structural analysis workflows
• Payload Configuration Management: Tracking alternative payload arrangements and their impact on weight and balance
• Mass Sensitivity Analysis: Evaluating the vehicle-level impact of uncertainty, design changes, and system swaps
• Digital Architecture Compatibility: Structuring outputs for integration into MBSE platforms, digital twins, or system-level simulation tools

Typical deliverables include:

• A detailed mass properties database with traceable subsystem-level values and parameter ranges
• Moment of inertia matrices referenced to key coordinate systems and flight axes
• CG location data, travel plots, and volume envelopes supporting stability, loading, and flight performance
• Clear documentation outlining methodology, assumptions, and inputs for design traceability

By grounding your design in accurate, dynamic mass modeling, we help you reduce risk, streamline downstream validation, and ensure that your vehicle stays within critical weight and balance limits – throughout the mission and the entire development cycle.