Of course, Apollo 11\u2019s lunar landing in July 1969 will forever be etched in our collective memories. If you were around back then, I bet you can remember exactly where you were when that historic event took place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Throughout the decades we\u2019ve had other memorable moments in space: the space shuttle, the International Space Station (ISS) and a myriad of satellites used for navigation, communications, defense and weather. We recently completed our sixth Mars rover landing. And don\u2019t forget the Hubble space telescope \u2013 going strong after 30 years and still taking breathtaking photos!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Just one of the many photos taken by the Hubble telescope. This photo was taken in 2010, called \u201cMystic Mountain.\u201d Source: NASA, ESA, M. Livio and the Hubble 20th Anniversary team (STScl).<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n The fact is, we love going to space and exploring the great \u201cunknown.\u201d Within the last 20 years, with advances in technology and new legislation, space is no longer the province of big government agencies. Some are calling this \u201cSpace 4.0\u201d \u2013 a new era of deregulation, cooperation, and competition. Where billionaires and dreamers alike, are free to pursue their starry-eyed visions. Where commercial and private entities compete in areas such as space tourism, space exploration and sending satellites into orbit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We are witnessing the democratization of space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It seems the early stages of Space 4.0 are favoring Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos and the Sir Richard Bransons of the world. Of course, start-ups are stepping up as well, look at Rocket Lab, Firefly, Axiom Space and others. And if you\u2019ve been around technology long enough, you know eventually, through the progress of a few technology mavericks \u2013 eventually, society as a whole often benefits. Think of the automobile, the color TV, even the mobile phone. Whether we\u2019re talking a spacecraft, rocket, or satellite \u2013 for commercial or defense purposes \u2013 or even an orbiting space hotel, the fact remains, innovation and technology have arrived in a very powerful and epic way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The accelerated privatization and the \u201cfor-profit\u201d mentality of Space 4.0 have dramatically changed the entire space industry landscape. This thinking has created an enormously fertile breeding ground for new applications and ambitions. How do growth, expectations and pressure affect the priorities in product engineering? How can traditional public agencies remain relevant, and where are the opportunities for newcomers to successfully take a piece of the intergalactic pie?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Where public agencies are likely to struggle most is the sudden emphasis on market-driven priorities such as time and cost and their relationship to risk. This is a natural priority for space engineering that tends to become increasingly stringent in the context of manned missions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For decades, agencies were focused on delivering excellence against certain budgets. Their primary customers were mostly public entities, such as defense departments, meteorological institutes, large public service providers and so on. But we\u2019re in a new era where the price the end-user pays dictates the business. Being successful in a commercial context requires low cost, a different approach to risk and more agile, customer-friendly business models. It\u2019s typically where traditional players have difficulties, and where start-ups see opportunities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n All of this innovation in space is aided by digitalization<\/a>. Through digitalization, teams are able to achieve time and cost savings at both the product and process levels. By using a digital twin<\/a>, companies can dramatically reduce time-to-market by shortening the decision-making process, development time and testing loops. Digital threads<\/a> enable multi-disciplinary processes and integrate data from the beginning of the product lifecycle to final sustainment \u2013 and throughout the entire process, there\u2019s full traceability. <\/p>\n\n\n\n With a digitalized work environment, teams gain a richer understanding of product and process. This helps users address complexity head-on and reduces risk while allowing teams faster implementation times. These capabilities play a crucial role for companies and agencies who want to be more competitive in our new space era.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The flow around the capsule with temperature distribution on the capsule\u2019s surfaces<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Most space projects are complex by nature. They include advanced materials and systems combined with a multitude of physics. Consider highly controlled propulsion systems or robotics with built-in artificial intelligence. There are so many parameters involved in the development that engineers need a digital twin to even come close to success. At the heart of this digital twin are realistic, prediction-capable simulation models to optimize all system aspects simultane\u00adously, from the early beginning of the design cycle. Further, space systems operate in the harshest of environments where different laws of physics might apply. Spacecraft that leave our protective atmosphere will be exposed to different gravity conditions, extreme temperature fluctuations, cosmic radiation and more. Engineering work on space-bound systems must take that addi\u00adtional complexity into consideration. Simulation<\/a> via the digital twin plays such a critical role.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Life before the digital twin (2017) and life using a digital twin (2020). Image courtesy of European Space Agency (ESA).<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n When we talk about the digital twin it\u2019s more than managing or interpreting simulation, a digital twin also automates the design process<\/a>. For example, think of the various design disciplines involved in the design of landing gear. A variety of schematics, CAD files, and diagrams are connected and integrated via the digital thread. Within each step, teams have a continuous loop of generating design options, evaluating the options against key criteria, and validating that the design meets increasingly complex design requirements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With a comprehensive digital twin, teams can continuously optimize both product design and production activities. This continuous optimization allows users to make decisions by simulating the virtual model with a closed-loop connection to the physical world.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n The digital twin provides teams the unique capability of building a virtually integrated vehicle<\/a>. In doing so, teams can \u201cfly\u201d the vehicle before it\u2019s physically built. In addition to reducing risk during test programs by proving the design through virtual tests, this approach enables teams to model complexity and focus on the more critical flight conditions and gain a deeper understanding of flight dynamics and possibilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n These are just a few examples. A digital twin can also help introduce virtual and augmented reality into the design and manufacturing process. It can take additive manufacturing to a whole new level. Depending on project and scope the digital twin has limitless applications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n An overarching digital infrastructure, in which all data regarding the various product lifecycle phases are collected, managed, kept up to date, and made accessible for all relevant program stakeholders, benefits space engineering priorities tremendously. That platform should weave an all-encompassing digital thread of information, from requirements definition to exploration, to detailed design, to manufacturing, to qualification, certifica\u00adtion and beyond. It\u2019s the only way to keep a product in space connected to its original requirements and to trace the impact of all decisions and actions made throughout the program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A digital transformation gives teams the capability to \u201claunch it before you build it.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n By its openness, flexibility, and ability to deliver world-class solutions for every product lifecycle aspect, and by the way, all those processes are integrated, the Siemens Xcelerator<\/a> portfolio from Siemens Digital Industries Software is the perfect orchestrator for any space program. And now, Siemens Xcelerator is offered as a Software as a Service (SaaS), known as Siemens Xcelerator as a Service,<\/a> for even greater ease and convenience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n At Siemens we like to say, \u201cWhere today meets tomorrow.\u201d Siemens Xcelerator as a Service is definitely a little piece of tomorrow \u2013 to be enjoyed by current and new customers today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I\u2019ve touched on the implications of Space 4.0, but the story is far more involved than what\u2019s covered here. This just-released white paper \u201cDigital twins: Your key to successful spacecraft design\u201d<\/em><\/a> is a fascinating read and goes into greater detail not only on space as the final frontier but the many technologies that can help teams achieve their goals and dreams.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I urge you to check it<\/a> out now\u2026 Plus, you can always visit the Siemens Aerospace and Defense website<\/a> for a more comprehensive look at Siemens A&D.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2021\/12\/2-Image_hubble-captures-view-of-mystic-mountain.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nSpace 4.0: Today\u2019s new space frontier<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Engineering priorities for a new era<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The importance of reducing time, risk and cost<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
And that\u2019s where digitalization comes in<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
How the digital enterprise fuels Space 4.0<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2021\/12\/3-Image_ApolloReentry-1024x576.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nState-of-the-art simulation<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2021\/12\/4-Image-1024x683.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nAutomating the design process<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2021\/12\/5-Image_Launch-before-you-Build-1024x428.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n\u201cLaunch it before you build it\u201d<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Achieve your digital transformation<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2021\/12\/6-Image_Fly-before-you-build-1024x862.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nFor complete details\u2026 Download this digital twin\/Space 4.0 white paper!<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n