A Generalized Satellite Digital Twin System for Satellite Operations

doi:10.3969/j.issn.1671-0940.2025.01.003

Abstract

Abstract: Digital twin shows broad application prospects in the aerospace field. This paper introduces a generalized satellite digital twin system in detail. With the innovative design concepts of modularization, generalization and modeling, on the one hand, the system has successfully achieved the reuse of software modules among different satellite models; on the other hand, it has achieved the reuse of software modules between the digital twin and the testing system, significantly improving the development efficiency of the digital twin system. The paper elaborates on the technical architecture and application fields of this digital twin system, and further prospects its future development. At the same time, through a real in-orbit case, the engineering value of the digital twin system is strongly demonstrated.

Key words: satellite operation, generalization, digital twin

LIN Jiawei, ZHANG Yujie, WU Xiaoming, LIU Jianhua. A Generalized Satellite Digital Twin System for Satellite Operations[J]. AEROSPACE CHINA, 2025, 26(1): 14-23.

References

[1] Grieves M W.Product lifecycle management: the new paradigm for enterprises[J]. International Journal of Product Development, 2005,2(1):1-8.
[2] Tuegel E J, Ingraffea A R, Eason T G, et a1. Reengineering aircraft structural life prediction using a digital twin[J]. International Journal of Aerospace Engineering, 2011.
[3] Glaessgen E, Stargel D. The digital twin paradigm for future NASA and U.S. air force vehicles[C]. Proceedings of the 53rd Structures Dynamics and Materials Conference-Special Session on the Digital Twin. April 23-26, 2012, Honolulu, HI.
[4] ZHUANG C B, LIU J H, XIONG H, et a1. Connotation, architecture and trends of product digital twin[J]. Computer Integrated Manufacturing Systems, 2017, 23(4): 753-768.
[5] TAO F, ZHANG M, CHENG J, et al.Digital twin workshop: a new paradigm for future workshop[J]. Computer Integrated Manufacturing Systems, 2017, 23(1): 1-9.
[6] LIU W R, TAO F, CHENG J F, et al.Digital twin satellite: concept, key technologies and applications[J]. Computer Integrated Manufacturing Systems, 2020, 26(3): 565-588.
[7] DONG Y F, LI Z, LEI M.Research on concept of digital satellite[J]. Aerospace Shanghai, 2021, 38(1): 1-12.
[8] LIU Z G, XIA N, DU Q.Application research of spacecraft electrical power system digital accompanying flight technology[J]. Spacecraft Engineering, 2020, 29(5): 135-14.
[9] ZHU K, CHEN J, LÜ T L, et al.Digital twin system for space power-sources[J]. Aerospace Shanghai, 2021, 38(3): 197-206.
[10] NING Z C, LIU X X, WANG S Y.A digital twin modeling approach for aerospace control systems with mechanism and data fusion aerospace control and application[J]. Aerospace Control and Application, 2022, 48(2): 1-7.
[11] CHI H D.Modeling method of satellite flexible turntable in digital twin system[J]. Harbin Institute of Technology, 2002.
[12] LEI M, LI P Y, DONG Y F.Multi-granularity comparison and modification of beidou satellite digital twin model[J]. Journal of Nanjing University of Aeronautics & Astronautics, 2022, 54(S): 26-34.
[13] CUI Y F, LIU Z J, WANG J.Digital twin satellite technology and its engineering practice[J]. Spacecraft Engineering, 2021, 30(6), 62-69.
[14] ZHANG W J, WANG G X, ZHU X M, et al.Digital twin-based optimization design method for aerospace electric thruster[J]. Journal of Astronautics, 2022, 43(4): 518-527.
[15] ZHANG J P, LIU J H, GONG K, et al.Spacecraft assembly quality control and prediction technology based on digital twin[J]. Computer Integrated Manufacturing Systems, 2021, 27(2): 605-616.
[16] YU K, ZHANG P, CHEN B, et al.Imaging scheduling of satellite constellation based on digital parallel system[J]. Aerospace Control and Application, 2023, 49(2): 68-75.
[17] Barbosa Da Silva P D, Ambrosio A M, Villani E, et al. An approach for verification of a satellite simulator - an evolving system[C].2016 Seventh Latin-American Symposium on Dependable Computing, October 19-21,2016, Cali, Colombia.
[18] SHEN Y L, CAI J L, LIN J W, et al.Detecting satellites unknown fault patterns using digital twin and machine learning[J]. China Space Science and Technology, 2025, 45(1): 46-58.