Aerospace digital twins: examining applications of digital twin technology to unmanned aerial vehicles and satellites

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) and satellites are becoming increasingly popular in business, government, and military applications. Both have unique use cases and value, but they have several overlapping use cases and features. Most notably they are both used for observation, such as the case of climate monitoring or surveying and mapping. Satellites also have uses in communication and navigation by broadcasting signals and enabling technology such as global positioning systems (GPS). UAVs have also been deployed by the militaries across the world for both reconnaissance and offensive capabilities. Each are electro-mechanical systems with a several important components that need to be reliable and high performance. Maximizing the return in value for these assets might mean improving their performance, reliability, or longevity. One emerging technology that has the promise to do this is the digital twin (DT). DTs utilize a combination of multi-domain modeling and extensive data collection for real-time model updates. This real time updating can be utilized for advanced simulation, improved control, and advanced condition monitoring. DTs are an ideal platform for applying to UAVs and satellites to maximize their capabilities and values. As will be demonstrated in this work, DTs have been demonstrated to provide value in improving control performance, orientation and position tracking, condition monitoring, and fault detection in UAVs and satellites. A case study and preliminary work on a CubeSat attitude adjustment device DT has been presented and examined to display benefits of the concept.