How Digital Engineering Strengthens Space Systems

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How Digital Engineering Strengthens Space Systems

MBSE speeds innovation and protection for space assets

In today鈥檚 high-stakes space race, digital engineering is essential to move sophisticated technology faster from concept to launch.

Digital engineering is an integrated approach that , providing a single source of truth across disciplines. A powerful subset of this approach is model-based systems engineering (MBSE), which uses modeling to support lifecycle activities and is at the heart of space system transformation.

Our digital engineers work with defense, intelligence, and civil organizations to use MBSE for smarter, faster development. This allows us to accelerate space capabilities for clients, especially in our primary innovation areas: pioneering space data solutions to solve complex problems and integrating advanced space systems to speed decisions.

MBSE ensures space organizations gain the benefits of secure, rapid capabilities鈥攆or missions from space domain awareness to space exploration, from intelligence operations 迟辞听Joint All-Domain Command and Control (JADC2).听

As a听trusted space partner听to the U.S. government, 无忧传媒 helps clients modernize capabilities for today鈥檚 greatest space challenges:听

Weaponization of space:听The U.S. must stay ahead of adversaries threatening space systems critical to our nation鈥檚 security, commerce, and way of life.
Addressing climate change:听Space-based earth observation is essential to research.
Congestion:听Tracking and protecting space assets is critical as satellite constellations grow exponentially.

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Why MBSE Is Critical for Space Systems Engineering

To realize the Department of Defense's (DOD)听, space organizations have been tackling the challenge of听听for space assets. MBSE will revolutionize defense development across the spectrum, but it鈥檚 especially applicable to space systems. Here are some of the key reasons:

Once a satellite is launched, it鈥檚 beyond the physical reach of teams tasked with its management and repair. MBSE allows technologists to create a virtual replica called a听digital twin听to test vulnerabilities, predict performance, and plan software upgrades for space assets in orbit.听
Space has become a warfighting domain, requiring security upgrades to existing satellites and听strengthened space cyber defense. MBSE offers a cost-effective way to mitigate threats.
Space systems traditionally have taken years鈥攐ften more than a decade鈥攖o develop. Digital engineering dramatically reduces the time, speeding up some key processes from months to minutes.
Space is becoming increasingly crowded. The number of . MBSE is actively being used to better integrate and architect the vast network of sensors and associated data, and enabling infrastructure to optimize more timely, precise tracking of objects in space.

Looking to implement digital engineering? Use our checklist.

Putting the Model in the Middle

鈥淪imply put, MBSE is next-generation engineering. It鈥檚 model-based from concept throughout the lifecycle of the system,鈥� says John Silvas, 无忧传媒鈥檚 lead digital engineer. 鈥淭he fundamentals of systems engineering remain the same. The difference is, we apply a model-in-the-middle mindset from the start.鈥�

Rather than creating a model as a deliverable along the way, 无忧传媒鈥檚 systems engineering work prioritizes the creation and continual evolution of a single authoritative relational database that is integrated into the program management office鈥檚 greater ecosystem. 鈥淭hat digital thread ensures a single source of truth,鈥� John says.听

A Government-Owned Functional Reference Architecture

This digital model serves as a government-owned reference architecture. 鈥淭he government has a vision of owning its tech stack so it can own its innovation,鈥� says Chief Engineer Leonard Brownlow, who advances the firm鈥檚 MBSE work for space projects. 鈥淲e鈥檙e helping bring it to life with a holistic approach that puts DOD in control.鈥澨�

This unified architecture also allows for easy interoperability with multiple systems that need to interface with it, a foundational capability to further听complex capabilities like space domain awareness. It also allows us to adapt our approach for each engagement. This allows us to balance the efficiency and security of a holistic methodology with flexibility for varied program priorities, as well as organizations鈥� technical maturity relative to the program lifecycle.听

鈥淲hat鈥檚 more, we can re-use reference models in future versions,鈥� Leonard adds. 鈥淲e can give the client a head start on future projects since we鈥檙e building on existing functionality and requirements, which can be easily upgraded to support new acquisitions.鈥� Leveraging previous work also lowers costs and security risks.

What doesn鈥檛 change is the centrality of the reference model, which ensures an orderly and collaborative process. 鈥淭he model remains center stage for all decisions,鈥� says John. For example, the model serves as a reference point for:

Stakeholders overseeing the process from a high-level perspective
Program managers assessing and directing progress
Vendors, who are granted 鈥渄otted-line鈥� access to elements related to their work
Analysts performing budget change impacts, technology comparisons, trade studies, etc.

Delivering Plug-and-Play Digital Engineering Tools听

Owning the reference architecture is critical, but controlling it is just as essential. 鈥淲e offer visualization tools via an extensible infrastructure that鈥檚 readily deployable. It allows stakeholders to plug-and-play new technology without needing to invest time and money in building the environment themselves,鈥� John explains.

We have extensive experience reengineering proprietary systems, helping DOD break vendor lock via open standards-based solutions. We鈥檝e used this knowledge to create reusable modules and incorporate lessons learned, streamlining processes and speeding schedules.听

Integrating MBSE for Smarter, Faster Development

We blend MBSE into the project flow, applying digital engineering as we help the client transition to a听cloud environment, incorporate government-hosted tools, and apply听open data platforms听to allow for continual evolution as priorities and threats change.听

Unlike defense contractors who have traditionally engineered systems on separate tracks, our teams are digital-first. This allows us to incorporate all elements鈥攕uch as cyber control mappings, transitioning to a听cloud environment,听听and applying听artificial intelligence鈥攁ll with an听open-system approach.

Once the ecosystem is created, DOD can invite partners to work in that environment, with full traceability and immediate effect. 鈥淚t鈥檚 all anchored back to that digital thread, so you can see the ripple effects on other parts of the overall architecture,鈥� John says.听

Realize Digital Twin Advantages

Suppose a satellite鈥檚 remote sensor has failed during a mission-essential flyover. A backup sensor fails at the same time, indicating a possible attack. What happens next? You can assess probabilities and strategies in advance with a digital twin, an exact replica of the original linked by the digital thread. The two share data and information flows, so one can provide insights on the other.

The digital thread supplies the foundation. 鈥淎 digital thread allows for modeling and simulation to occur early in the process,鈥� says Leonard. 鈥淭hat reference architecture gives us a conceptual digital twin.鈥澨�

A conceptual digital twin is a prototype containing the designs, analyses, and processes that will inform development of the full virtual product that connects to the physical digital twin. This conceptual replica speeds progress: 鈥淲e can begin modeling behaviors early on, while the data and information feeds are still in development,鈥� says Leonard.

Once we integrate the digital and physical systems, establishing a bidirectional connection, the client can realize the full value of a digital twin. Now the changes and updates can be tested in the model and then pushed in real time to the operational physical system鈥攚hether it鈥檚 still in development or already launched and functioning on orbit.

鈥淵ou can use a digital twin to advance any part of the lifecycle faster and with more confidence,鈥� says Leonard. 鈥淔or example, you can simulate behaviors in the conceptual phase, test a new system with more precision before it鈥檚 launched, and measure the impact of an upcoming upgrade after launch.鈥澨�

For satellites already on orbit, a digital twin is a game-changing way to measure essential attributes such as resiliency. For example, the听听measured cyber vulnerabilities, allowing for modernization of a system launched before space cyber defense was top of mind.

Spin Up a Twin: The Benefits of Moving Fast

鈥淲e can spin up to a mature, functioning听digital twin听state quickly,鈥� John explains. Our digital-first perspective, as well as our experience creating reference architectures on defense systems to help the government break vendor lock, has given us insights on how to create efficiencies without compromising security.听

We offer experience over hundreds of projects, offering:听