Siemens helps Australian company build orbital service spacecraft

Australian startup Space Machines Company (SMC) is developing space on-orbit services and logistics technology — building a next-generation fleet of in-space infrastructure servicing vehicles. The vehicles will be able to perform inspection, repair and upgrade of satellite infrastructure in space, when and where it is needed.

The company has used a suite of industrial software from the Siemens Xcelerator portfolio to design and build the Optimus Orbital servicing Vehicle (OSV), one of the largest commercial spacecraft being designed, manufactured and assembled in Australia.

The 270 kg Optimus will be launched by a SpaceX rocket from the United States to help taxi commercial satellites into their orbital paths around Earth and beyond — providing ‘roadside assistance’ to satellites orbiting in space. Optimus’s main purpose will be to service, maintain, repair and extend the life of other satellites on orbit.

The use of Siemens’ software for design and modelling, thermo-mechanical elements simulation and analyses, and product lifecycle management has helped SMC save costs and time while delivering productivity gains for teams working on Optimus at University of Technology Sydney’s Tech Lab.

Siemens’ NX software is being used for design and modelling, Simcenter software for thermo-mechanical elements simulation and analyses, and Teamcenter X software as a service (SaaS) for product lifecycle management (PLM).

“On-orbit servicing and logistics is the new frontier in space innovation,” said Rajat Kulshrestha, CEO of SMC. “Many critical aspects of our daily lives, such as banking, weather forecasting and global communications are impacted by the ability of satellites to deliver these critical services.

“There are over 7000 active satellites orbiting Earth. These satellites, and new ones coming into orbit, need a sustainable and safe operating environment. We deliver responsive and affordable on-orbit servicing and security solutions to customers.

“To do what we do, we need the right software that is agile in a fast-paced environment and can scale as we do. Siemens’ software has been critical in our ability to reduce design and development iterations without compromising on mission objectives. It has helped us create one unified digital environment and allowed us to rapidly prototype on the digital twin, helping us understand how Optimus will behave in the harsh environment of space.”

Apart from the design and manufacturing phase, SMC’s hardware and software undergo rigorous testing phases which calls for a robust PLM system. Teamcenter X helps with everything from quick design changes, running simulations and validation, through to manufacturing and final assembly — all on the digital twin.

“Space is one of the most innovative industries in Australia right now,” said Samantha Murray, Vice President and Managing Director of Siemens Digital Industries Software, Australia and New Zealand. “Siemens software is enabling organisations of all sizes to innovate and develop solutions that will ultimately play a critical role in our daily lives.

“I’m proud to see how Space Machines have used our software to push the boundaries of space logistics and get to the forefront of Australia’s space industry. As the space industry scales up and becomes part of a powerful ecosystem, software is the key enabler that helps level the playing field for all.”

Image caption: Designing the Optimus using Siemens software. Image courtesy of Siemens.