Digital Engineering for the Space Industry
Design. Simulate. Validate. Launch with Confidence.
Accelerate space innovation with simulation-driven digital engineering, AI, MBSE, and digital twins — from spacecraft and launch vehicle design to mission planning, operations, and lifecycle optimization.
CADFEM helps space organizations connect engineering disciplines, automate workflows, evaluate mission performance, and reduce risk before deployment.
Space Doesn't Allow Room for Trial and Error
Why Digital Engineering for Space?
Space systems operate in environments where thermal loads, vibration, electromagnetic effects, radiation, fluid forces, and mission conditions interact across multiple engineering disciplines.
CADFEM combines multiphysics simulation, systems engineering, mission analysis, AI, and digital twins to help engineers understand system behaviour before hardware reaches the launch pad.
Connect Engineering
Link requirements, models, simulations and systems.
Validate Virtually
Test performance before physical implementation.
Optimize Earlier
Explore design and mission alternatives before committing to hardware.
The Space Engineering Lifecycle
| Stage | Focus |
|---|---|
| Concept | Requirements & Architecture |
| Design | Multiphysics & Systems |
| Simulation | Performance & Risk |
| Validation | Virtual Verification |
| Mission | Planning & Operations |
| Lifecycle | Monitoring & Optimization |
CADFEM connects engineering models, simulation, mission analysis, AI and digital twins across the lifecycle.
Core Digital Engineering Capabilities
Spacecraft & Satellite Design
Satellite Design
Telescope Assemblies
- Optical performance
- Thermal effects
- Structural integrity
- Electromagnetic effects
Solar Panel Deployment
- Structural optimization
- Multibody dynamics
- Thermal cycling
- Launch shock
Satellite Components
- Modal analysis
- Transient response
- Vibration
- Composite materials
Launch Vehicle Design
Spacecraft Stability
- CFD + Mechanical
- Fluid-structure interaction
- Attitude & stability
Vibration & Shock
- Dynamic response
- Structural deformation
- Acoustics
- Resonance
Hypersonic Aerothermodynamics
- Heat flux
- Aerodynamic forces
- Shock phenomena
- Ablation
Propulsion & Rocket Systems
Propellant Management
- Pressure
- Residual stress
- Modal analysis
- Random vibration
- Shock response
Rocket Design
- Engine cooling
- Thermal stress
- Supersonic flow
- Fluid-structure interaction
- Free-surface flow
Combustion Stability
- Reaction rates
- Chemical kinetics
- Nozzle optimization
- Injector positioning
The brochure covers PMD tank reliability, solid/liquid fuel rocket design and combustion stability as dedicated applications.
Validate Performance Beyond the Lab
Space Environment & Mission Reliability
Debris & Impact
Simulate debris impact, structural damage and fragment trajectories.
Spacecraft Charging
Assess spacecraft charging and electrostatic discharge risks.
Spacecraft Anomalies
Analyze charging-related risks and improve mission reliability.
Mission Operations
Simulate trajectories, orbital manoeuvres, rendezvous and station-keeping.
Build Sensors That See, Communicate and Perform
RF, Optics & Sensor Systems
Digital LiDAR
Design and optimize antennas, evaluate band structure, optimize spacing and weight, and assess manufacturing effects.
EO/IR Systems
From lens design and optimization to imager optimization, STOP analysis and aero-optical simulation.
Space Optical Communication
Design and integrate PICs, optimize optical link budgets and validate STOP performance.
AI-DRIVEN ENGINEERING
Faster Design Prediction
SimAI Pro
AI-powered field prediction for design exploration.
Enterprise AI at Scale
SimAI Premium
Scale AI models across simulation teams and programs.
Engineering Intelligence
STOCHOS Flow
Connect simulations, data, AI models, optimization and post-processing into automated workflows.
STOCHOS Flow
STOCHOS Flow is a visual AI workbench where engineers connect:
- Simulation
- Data
- AI
- Optimization
- Results
Physics AI
Surrogate modelling • Optimization • Sensitivity analysis
Generative AI
Workflow creation • Natural language • Design exploration
Agentic AI
AI agents • Automation • Smart scripting & reporting
Digital Twin
From Simulation Model to Living Digital Twin
- Build
- Validate
- Connect
- Predict
- Optimize
A digital twin is more than a 3D model. It is a multi-domain simulation model that mirrors an asset's behaviour throughout its lifecycle.
With Ansys Twin Builder, CADFEM helps create physics-based system models, integrate real-world data, deploy digital twins and combine physics with AI for predictive intelligence.
Understand
Past performance
Monitor
Real-time behaviour
Predict
Future performance
CADFEM's Space Engineering Approach
From Engineering Challenge to Mission-Ready Solution
Consult
Understand your engineering and mission requirements.
Model
Build the appropriate physics and system models.
Simulate
Run multiphysics and mission-level analyses.
Optimize
Explore design and operational alternatives.
Validate
Virtually verify performance and requirements.
Deploy
Connect models to digital engineering and lifecycle workflows.
Why CADFEM?
Space Expertise
Application-focused engineering knowledge.
Multiphysics Capability
Connect physics across engineering disciplines.
Systems Perspective
From components to complete missions.
Digital Engineering
MBSE, simulation, AI and digital twins.
Implementation Support
From modelling to workflow deployment