1. 7th International Conference on Systems Engineering & Concurrent Engineering for Space Applications
Round Table 2
Simulation and Interactive Visualization:
Building the Space System Digital Twin
Collaborative Approach and Virtual Spacecraft throughout Project Phases

2. Objective
Objective: sketch a work plan with a list of actions, in the frame of Space 4.0, to improve our space practices and target efficiency improvement in terms of time and costs

3. Panel Composition
Moderator: Antonio Martelo, DLR, System Engineer and Head of Concurrent Engineering Facility (CEF) Panelists: Joachim Fuchs, ESA, Head of System Modelling and Functional Verification section at ESTEC Christoph Kossira, AUDI, Head of chassis simulation Jean-Luc Le Gal, CNES, Responsible of the Concurrent Design Facility at the Space Mission Feasibility Study Office Jan-Christian Meyer, OHB, Project Engineer for Space Systems Studies Mauro Pasquinelli, TAS, Specialist in Model-based tools and methods Oliver Romberg, DLR, Head of System Analysis Space Segment Department Giancarlo Varacalli, ASI, Head of Engineering Office, Technology and Engineering Unit Francois Verges, AIRBUS, Integration and Test Techno leader.

4. The Digital Model (Methodologies & Design)
Tools (in all/later phases):
(JCM) Benefits deriving from the introduction of a (full) digital model in the world of prototyping (and small series production) need to be assessed in order to conclude on the optimal extent of digital modelling and automation into our space practices.
How could this benchmark be performed and be representative?
(FV) The digital model (*) needs to consider AIT requirements, including parameters that cover/focusing on: X Y Z” (X Y Z to be defined by the community)
(*) implemented using OCDT, Arcadia CAPELLA, MagicDraw, PDM…

5. The Digital Model (Methodologies & Design) – cont’d
Tools (in all/later phases):
(MP) Digital models are complex and are subject to the GIGO (Garbage In Garbage Out) risk. On later phases the model is the consequence of the work of many people, and many people should control the validity of the information inserted in the “digital twin”. Any error inserted in the model is a big risk.
Which should be the main requirements for a user-friendly and distributed environment which keeps all the actors involved in the consistency check of all the information composing the digital twin?
How to reduce the workload associated to the management of the model?

6. The Digital Model (Methodologies & Design)
Process (in later phases , in particular):
(FV) Along with Digital Model there shall be a working procedure enhancing more communication and exchange of information across engineers acting on the early phases and engineers of the later phases. How can we achieve this?
(OR) We should increase the effort to identify the elements (SW, processes, teaming and communication strategies, etc.) of collaborative/concurrent engineering in other industries (e.g. car, aviation) which can be applied in later phases of spacecraft development and also MAIT How do we identify those elements? What steps have to be taken?
(GV) Space could benefit from non-space sectors spin-in (e.g. aviation or car manufacturing): how to identify elements from non-space domains that could be infused in space practices?
Interaction with automotive: AUDI (CK)
Automotive experiences “evolution” rather than “revolution”
How to handle the complexity in the electronic architecture?
Space is more about “How to develop without prototypes”. Automotive is more about “How to reduce prototypes”

7. Open Discussion

8. The transition from the Digital Model to the Assembled System
(FV) The digital model should be used with technologies such as virtual and augmented reality to enhance the integration and quality checks in preparation and execution. How does this help us?
(JCM) Real-time visualization of the built status would help executing integration procedures and reduce failure rates. Which technologies do we have to make ready and mature in order to target an application case implementing real-time visualization of the built status?
(GV) Some of the tests could be replaced by analytical checks on the digital model, adequately correlated to the “as-built”. How do we get there?

9. Open Discussion

10. Advanced Manufacturing, Assembly, Integration & Testing
Rapid-prototyping, GSE Re-use, AIT at equipment level, are practices that could be applied to pilot cases for an assessment of benefits. Would you think these practices could be used on ad-hoc missions and not on a sequence of common platforms?
(GV) Can we think of verification and quality control embedded into production for time optimization? How do we get there?
(GV) Sensor Technologies shall be exploited as enablers for accurate mapping between the real system and the digital model twin. Which are the closest application cases we can identify?

11. Open Discussion