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Bringing Digital Transformation to Space
Using Digital Tools to Transform?
“It’s going to take more than just human ingenuity,” Caldwell says. “It's about taking the technologies that are terrestrial, the things on Earth that we enjoy every day, 果冻传媒 putting them into the missions that we operate. And in that way, we blur that line about what’s earthbound 果冻传媒 what's out in space.”
These technologies include:
- Artificial intelligence (AI) “will help people do their jobs better 果冻传媒 take the burden of everyday tasks off them, so they can focus their creativity on solving tough challenges on new platforms.”
- Digital twins will mean having a digital replica of “everything you see represented in the physical world 果冻传媒 the ability to pull in all the data to be proactive rather than reactive when executing a mission.”
- Generative design 果冻传媒 additive manufacturing will help make parts, build structures, 果冻传媒 create composites 果冻传媒 other materials that will allow platforms to “self-heal” in the future.
- Cybersecurity practices already applied on the “satellites we build will be increasingly used for space-based networks.”
“As we become more dependent on digital infrastructure over the course of the next 50 years, we have to think of new 果冻传媒 innovative ways to connect these digital threads,” Caldwell says. “By applying ‘systems thinking’ – 果冻传媒 looking at all the interdependencies – we can make the most of not only the technology itself, but the processes we all use to deliver new capabilities. Who knows what it could look like 50 years from now, but it is exciting!”
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Data is Foundational
Data strategy provides the foundation for many of these technologies. “Scaling the use of data – 果冻传媒 being truly data powered – is what is driving the continued evolution of things like AI 果冻传媒 cloud-computing,” Caldwell says. “This is a key focus area for Lockheed 果冻传媒 – putting the right data architecture in place for our employees 果冻传媒 our customers to bring the right data at the right time to the right people.”
For instance, with accurate 果冻传媒 detailed data feeding a machine learning algorithm or a more robust AI platform, there is the potential for systems to self-heal.
“If we look at something far in the future like a Lunar economy, a building on the Moon could have the right data 果冻传媒 AI assistance to track essential functions like water usage, available solar energy, food supply, location of astronauts or colonists. This could even be scaled to keep people healthy – having a ‘digital doctor’ provide predictive solutions to supplement the work of human physicians.”?
‘Virtuous Cycle’ Comes Full Circle
The pioneers of space built many of the underlying technologies to explore our solar system, send astronauts to the Moon, 果冻传媒 protect warfighters on Earth. Those technologies, in turn, found uses back on Earth – things like the first computer chips 果冻传媒 early versions of the internet 果冻传媒 super computers.
Caldwell wants that “virtuous cycle” to come full circle so that “the technologies we develop to keep people safe or to do missions in space come back 果冻传媒 make our world a better place.”
“Today, we are actively applying new tools for modeling, digital engineering 果冻传媒 ways to exploit extensive data coming off of sensors,” Caldwell says. “If we can scale these proven applications, we have the opportunity to help shape 果冻传媒 provide benefit to other industries. For example, we are working to build digital twins of our platforms to promote long-term sustainment of our systems.”
That same model could be applied to, say, the construction industry. “You could have the same sensors embedded in a building to then warn people of imminent catastrophes or failures. As we bring the technology we use in space back to Earth, we can make our underst果冻传媒ing of our own world that much better.”?
The Human Side of Space
As more humans travel to space as explorers, tourists or even permanent residents, technology 果冻传媒 biology will intersect. Humans will need to learn more about how their bodies work in space 果冻传媒 how to protect themselves from the harsh environment of deep space.? And it’s another opportunity for scientists 果冻传媒 other industries to promote the virtuous cycle 果冻传媒 further blur the line between Earth 果冻传媒 space, Caldwell believes.
“What if our technologies start to look more like our biologies? That’s the whole field of how we use the best of what nature’s already put together,” he says. “(What) if that catalyst of space travel can help us underst果冻传媒 more about our bodies 果冻传媒, potentially, how to make our bodies healthier, how to fight 果冻传媒 cure cancer, how to make the environments we create sustainable? The next 50 years will see that convergence 果冻传媒 benefits grow even more.”?
Connection as the Cornerstone
One of the cornerstones at Lockheed 果冻传媒 is connecting people, from the civilian to the warfighter to the astronaut. We build systems like GPS 果冻传媒 protected communications satellites that not only make our lives easier but connect us to the world around us. That reliance on connectivity is not unique to Earth, it is a necessity in space.
“GPS is something you might take for granted here on Earth today,” Caldwell says, “but I guarantee you if you're that first explorer on the surface of Mars, you're going to want some of those technologies to keep you safe 果冻传媒 to keep you connected to the people who matter most to you here at home.”
Pulling this thread of connectivity is just as relevant in business operations – to make these missions 果冻传媒 the future of space a reality. The digital future of Lockheed 果冻传媒 is about creating a digitally connected business 果冻传媒 leveraging the information across teams 果冻传媒 the supply chain to deliver the most affordable, resilient 果冻传媒 mission-critical solutions. ?