How Simcenter drives aerospace robotics success - full webinar

Core message

Siemens Simcenter provides an integrated simulation + test ecosystem—a “comprehensive digital twin”—to accelerate space-vehicle development, reduce qualification cost/time, and improve decision confidence for spacecraft and on‑orbit robotics missions. Emphasis is on multi-discipline, multi-fidelity coupling (structural, fluids, thermal, electromagnetics, acoustics, chemistry) and linking simulation to physical test via credibility/traceability frameworks so simulation can “front‑load” requirements checks and reduce physical test scope.

Technologies, product features and workflows highlighted

• Simcenter product family (examples and roles)

  • Simcenter 3D / Simcenter Motion — multi-body dynamics (MBD) and motion simulation for mechanisms, robotic arms, docking and rendezvous/proximity operations.
  • Simcenter Nastran — finite-element structural models and generation of motion flex‑bodies (flexible-body representation).
  • Simcenter Amesim and Simulink — controllers, actuators and system-level behavioral models to couple control with dynamics.
  • Simcenter HEEDS — sensitivity studies, design exploration and optimization across disciplines (optimization / design exploration).
  • Acoustic test + simulation tools — direct field acoustic testing capabilities and correlation tools to reduce acoustic qualification cost.

• Multi-physics digital twins

  • Combine MBD, flexible structures, contact dynamics, control/robotics models and system simulation to represent complete mission scenarios (e.g., capture/docking, deployment, refueling).

• Simulation-driven development

  • Automation, standardization and model reuse to increase speed and reduce manual effort; enables earlier “fit-for-purpose” claims during verification and qualification.

• Credibility assurance

  • Traceability between simulation and test, test‑model correlation, and targeted testing that validates models rather than exhaustive testing of every scenario.

• Test-model correlation practices and digital transformation

  • Initiatives to make simulation/digital twins more reliable and accepted for qualification decisions.

Benefits & quantitative outcomes

• Faster time-to-market and lower qualification cost (example: reduced acoustic testing cost via hybrid simulation/test approaches).
• Large productivity gains in modeling: Mynaric reported ~82% reduction in thermal‑structural modeling time after consolidating tools into Simcenter.
• Improved risk reduction for complex on‑orbit operations through sensitivity and reliability studies enabled by simulation.

Key application examples / case studies

• NASA Goddard

  • Model‑based reliability/availability/maintenance/safety analysis deployed with Simcenter, replacing fragmented Excel workflows and generating multiple failure‑analysis reports from a single model.

• Mynaric

  • Integrated thermal-structural models for precision laser terminals; streamlined modeling and reduced time-to-market.

• ESA collaboration

  • Direct field acoustic testing masterclass & proofs-of-concept correlating simulation and on‑satellite acoustic tests.

• Northrop Grumman on-orbit servicing programs

  • MEV (Mission Extension Vehicle): docking / RPOD modeling (dynamics, contact, flexible deployables); operational examples in service since 2019.
  • MEP (Mission Extension Pod) + MRV (Mission Robotics Vehicle): MRV uses a robotic arm and end-effectors (partner tech from Naval Research Lab / DARPA / MDA) to capture, store, and install MEPs on client satellites for mission extension, inspection, repair and debris removal. Simcenter 3D motion + flex bodies + controller models simulated capture, grappling, docking and dynamic interactions.
  • In-space refueling programs: Simcenter used to model/refine refueling operations and support test-model correlation for digital twins.

Guides, tutorials, resources and events mentioned

• Webinar recording and use-case write-ups (NASA Goddard, Mynaric) available in webinar resources.
• Masterclass on direct field acoustic testing (Leuven) — hands-on demonstration with an ESA satellite.
• Realize Live 2024 event and a Simcenter 3D user-group meeting (Denver, CO) announced for additional training and community engagement.

Methodological takeaways

1. Treat on‑orbit servicing as tightly coupled multi‑domain systems: dynamics ↔ flexibility ↔ contact ↔ control.
2. Use a hybrid approach: simulation-driven development with targeted testing for validation, backed by traceability/credibility frameworks to accelerate qualification.
3. Use an integrated toolchain to reduce handoffs, standardize models, and enable design space exploration across subsystems to find global optima.

Main speakers / sources

• Jens de Boer — Siemens (leads aviation & space segment for Simcenter portfolio)
• Daisaku Inoyama — Northrop Grumman (manager, multi-body dynamics team)
• Webinar host: Sarah Allspaw (Siemens)
• Additional partners/organizations referenced: NASA Goddard, Mynaric, ESA, MDA, Naval Research Lab, DARPA, Intelsat (example client)