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Space Machines uses Siemens Xcelerator to develop Orbital Servicing Vehicle

Sydney-based on-orbit services and logistics startup Space Machines Company (SMC) has used a suite of products from Siemens’ Xcelerator portfolio of industry software to design and build the Optimus Orbital Servicing Vehicle (OSV), one of the largest commercial spacecraft being designed, manufactured, and assembled in Australia.

The 270kg Optimus is expected to be launched in the USA before the end of this calendar year by a SpaceX rocket to help taxi commercial satellites into their orbital paths around Earth and beyond – providing roadside assistance to satellites orbiting in space. Optimus’ 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 modeling, 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, the company says.

Siemens’ NX™ software is being used for design and modeling, 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 7,000 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.

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

Siemens’ software is also being used by other leading space technology companies in the region including Hypersonix and Gilmour Space Technologies in Australia, as well as Rocket Lab in New Zealand.

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