Siemens Digital and Sierra Space Collaborate on Digital Engineering Program

Sierra Space is implementing Siemens' Xcelerator software to create a fully digital environment from development to manufacturing to maintenance.

Siemens Digital Industries Software recently announced that Sierra Space has implemented Siemens' Xceleratorsoftware and service portfolio as the foundation for its next-generation digital engineering program. Sierra Space is a commercial space company helping to shape the future of space transportation and infrastructure for the commercialization of Low Earth Orbit (LEO).

The company is implementing Xcelerator to create a fully digital environment from development to manufacturing to maintenance. This will help to achieve the goals: Sierra Space wants to develop future solutions for space transport, as well as commercial space travel and infrastructure, and create technologies on which a vibrant, growing and accessible commercial space industry will be built.

"At Sierra Space, we are building the first platform in space that brings together all aspects of space transportation, space targets and space applications in a holistic ecosystem. It will be a catalyst for the next breakthrough innovations that will also bring many benefits to life on Earth. Our revolutionary new space platform is being developed using a next-generation digital development environment that we created in collaboration with Siemens," said Tom Vice, CEO of Sierra Space. "Siemens' solutions will significantly accelerate the development of our unique space platform."

Siemens' tools were fundamental to the development of the Dream Chaser. Sierra Space is building on this long-standing collaboration with Siemens to fully transform itself into a digital company. Sierra Space will use Siemens Xcelerator at all stages of Dream Chaser's development, including structural, thermal, mechanical, electrical and software design, vehicle manufacturing, requirements review and lifecycle maintenance.

The spacecraft is capable of performing a smooth 1.5g re-entry when transporting crew and cargo and landing on compatible commercial runways worldwide. As a representative of the next generation of space transport, NASA has commissioned the Dream Chaser to carry out cargo delivery and return missions to the International Space Station (ISS). The spacecraft transports up to 5.4 tons per flight. Sierra Space continues to expand this long-standing collaboration with Siemens as the company transforms into a digital enterprise.

In parallel with Dream Chaser, Sierra Space is working to design, develop, build, operate and support a customer-centric goal in Earth orbit. In collaboration with Blue Origin, Sierra Space has developed the Habitat "Large Integrated Flexible Environment" (LIFE), a key component of the Orbital Reef project. This modular, three-story commercial residential and science platform will provide the opportunity for companies from the manufacturing, pharmaceutical and other industries to take advantage of weightlessness. It can be used in low-Earth orbit, on the lunar surface, in lunar orbit and as a transport vehicle to Mars. Sierra Space will use Siemens Xcelerator in all phases of LIFE-Habitat development and other space target missions.

"We are honored to be working with Sierra Space on their mission to democratize access to space. We look forward to supporting the Sierra Space team in advancing the Dream Chaser product line and LIFE-Habitat with the world's most comprehensive digital twin technology at the heart of their technology strategy," said Tony Hemmelgarn, CEO and chairman, Siemens Digital Industries Software. "This is another in a long list of announcements that show that today's pioneers are using Siemens Xcelerator as a platform for real innovation."