The US Space Force will prepare for possible missions with a digital twin of space

The US Space Force has engaged Slingshot Aerospace to develop a virtual replica of the space environment. Under a 39-month contract, Slingshot Aerospace will receive $25.2 million to develop the Digital Space Twin and Slingshot Laboratory technologies.

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Digital Space Twin, which can also be used to launch satellites, will help improve the US Space Force’s ability to analyze and respond to current and future threats. The simulation will show the real-time status of the field at the time it is intended to be used. Digital Space Twin will combine real-time mapping of orbiting objects and space weather data with physics-based modelling.

Simulation will also be able to model and evaluate the safest, fastest and most efficient way to launch satellites into orbit.

Slingshot Laboratory, which is under the contract, will be a training program that teaches the basics and advanced concepts of astrodynamics. The main purpose of the program is to enable students to learn the basic theories that will allow them to make faster and better decisions in operational environments by managing their own virtual environments.