Virtualization Helps the “New Space” Sector Accelerate Space Travel
The commercial space industry driven by private organizations is making giant leaps in space tourism, exploration and satellite technology. To further develop this rapidly growing industry Dassault Systèmes’ 3D solutions can help accelerate the necessary innovations in a risk-free way by leveraging the already present knowledge of shuttle systems and space transport. As Dassault Systèmes, we partner with space companies to enable them to design a system right the first time with the required quality, reliability and safety while maintaining their competitive edge. We help space companies to accelerate their space programs from concept to launch by up to 50 percent.
The growing New Space industry could become a $1.4 trillion market by 2040, according to Morgan Stanley. The projections signal an increasingly competitive environment in which the most innovative, agile companies will rise to the top. The new space race requires equally advanced tools to design, test, develop and launch products quickly and effectively. While private pure-play space companies will lead the way towards a $1.4 trillion space economy, established aerospace primes will play an important role as partners and in introducing new technologies or innovative applications of existing technologies. According to Supriya Chakrabarti’s (Professor of Physics, UMass Lowell) article published at The Conversation in 2021, Groups that track satellite launches don’t always report the same exact numbers, but the overall pace of growth is clear: while over the second half of the 20th century roughly 60 to 100 satellites launched yearly until the early 2010s, by 2020, 114 launches carried around 1,300 satellites to space. In 2021, there was an estimated total of 4,877 active satellites orbiting the Earth, an increase from 3,291 in 2020 that alone creates more problems and requires forward solutions, especially when it comes to sustainability and innovation speed.
In space we're seeing a lot of investment in new technology. In particular, technology for the development of new launchers, reusable launchers and increasing the numbers of satellites. Ten years from now there will be approximately 10 times more satellites orbiting the Earth, and that in itself will lead to more issues and require forward thinking, especially with regard to sustainability. In the space domain specifically, I think what's going to happen in the next few years is a massive multiplication of the number of satellites in orbit. It's what we call ubiquitous geospatial analytics – there will be so many satellites orbiting the Earth that we will have constant coverage of geospatial analytics. Geospatial analytics is essentially images of the earth, not only in the visible spectrum, but in a radar, infrared and every type of spectrum. This gives you the ability to constantly monitor the earth for things such as agriculture or growth expansion. In buildings, you'll be able to see the detailed progression of your construction – day by day or even hour by hour, to see how your project is progressing. From a government perspective, you'll be able to do zoning for cities, and detect and protect the borders much better than before.
A challenge, from a technological standpoint, will be to enable these mega constellations. How do we make sure that these satellites are connected to each other and communicating with each other so that you have constant relay of the signal. The second and more impressive challenge is sustainability. Due to all of these new satellites in orbit, space is going to get really crowded. So, the question will be how do you maintain your orbit if you've got a functioning satellite? Or how do you repair your satellite in space?
Today, not only New Space sector but the whole Aerospace & Defense industry is living a shift in paradigm between the need to meet short term goals while trying to accomplish long term objectives and Sustainable Development Goals. From accelerating decarbonization while managing ramp up of production, to developing cyber secure sovereign systems while keeping costs down, it is key to build sustainable innovation in this age of disruption. The Virtual Twins technology offers clear visibility of what needs to be done today to build tomorrow.
During the last edition of the Paris Air Show (June 19-25, 2023 in Paris, France), Dassault Systèmes demonstrated how it is an essential technology partner for innovative aeronautics companies.
Visitors also discovered how our customer, Blue Spirit Aero, is designing its Dragonfly aircraft, a hydrogen-powered plane that is reinventing air mobility. It was also the opportunity to present its latest innovation, Delmia Augmented Reality, a solution designed to help companies move towards Industry 4.0 by extending the use of the digital model to operational areas.
Light-Speed Innovation
Satellites illustrate the need to accelerate innovation. A growing number of satellites are reaching the skies, packing increasingly complex capabilities into ever smaller hardware. Experts predict that the global nanosatellite and microsatellite market will grow by 21.3% until 2025. To meet rapidly changing market needs, satellite engineers must be able to test, validate and demonstrate their ideas quickly before moving to physical production. Using simulation technology to model their ideas enables faster, more efficient innovation with less risk. And it ensures that the satellite that launches is the right one for the job.
Furthermore, as the engineering advances, such as privately-developed reusable launch vehicles that land vertically—a technological marvel that legacy aerospace companies were unable to achieve since the dawn of the space age—have already slashed the price of rocketing cargo to space.
Space- Age Sustainability
Delivery and launch of the product is only the start of a lifecycle that must now have sustainability built in. Decades of space exploration have left an estimated 129 million debris objects in orbit and today’s innovators are tasked with reducing that junk without adding more. Longer product lifespans, reusable components and efficient operation are all essential elements, from the design and production of the product through to operation and post-mission phases.
Simulating their ideas and running what-if scenarios gives them the end-to-end visibility to achieve those goals. Modeling a rocket’s trajectory, for instance, can help to maximize its efficiency and safety. Virtual models of materials and components can be tested to find ways to reuse them. And using simulation to visualize and plan the orbit of a satellite can help to optimize its lifespan and minimize orbital debris.
Reinvent the Sky
Our “Reinvent the Sky” cloud-based industry solution experience helps aerospace companies accelerate the product lifecycle by modeling complex systems in a virtual, collaborative environment which is so essential when it comes to aerospace technologies to reduce the costs and minimize material use and also ensure environmental safety. Therefore, the desired designs are built using modeling and simulation on the 3DEXPERIENCE platform, which allows users to create a virtual twin of products, assets, and processes. NASA has relied on simulation tools since the early days of the program to safely travel to and from space.
“Reinvent the Sky” concept also comprises the urban air mobility that are also among the topics we highlight. Vertical Aerospace as one of our major customer creates new aircraft for vertical takeoff and landing. They have been able to hasten the design of this brand-new aircraft, which will be entirely electrical, by utilizing our range of cloud solutions and virtual twin technologies. The entirely electrical new aircraft will finally takes us to the point of decarbonization of aviation. To be able to reach this point, Dassault Systèmes is partnering with government funding research entities to contribute but also, working with a lot of small and medium companies and start-ups that are vibrant projects in that community.
A Collaborative Core
Collaboration is at the core of New Space. As start-ups and SMEs continue to disrupt the industry, it’s essential that they can work seamlessly across disciplines, time zones, markets and geographies. A virtual model, built on a single data platform, enables them to do that. Designers can work together in real time, modelling complex systems to see exactly how they will operate in different orbits and atmospheric conditions. As they perfect their design, they can use the model to collaborate with suppliers and optimize production, keeping the project on track. The result is more agile, efficient innovation across the value chain, with potential problems resolved before physical production begins.
40 years of experience in innovation and digital technology worldwide, Dassault Systèmes combines 3D modeling, social collaboration, simulation, and information intelligence technologies and services. Wherever the New Space age takes us – from satellite-enabled apps to tourist trips or missions to explore distant planets – this ability to visualize and innovate together is the key to enabling a sustainable future on Earth and beyond.
