R-CON panel analyzes the impact of the space supersector on digital twin innovation

By Cassidy Mills, Staff Writer

 

Experts in the space domain explored how the space supersector is driving digital twin technologies during the “Our Final Digital Frontier: A ‘Universe’al Twin for the Space Supersector” panel at R-CON Digital Twins on June 27.

 

R-CON Digital Twins was an industry-focused event exploring the expanding role of digital twin technologies, hosted by the Reality Capture Network and held at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts in Orlando, Florida.

 

The event brought together professionals from infrastructure, energy, defense, aerospace and academia to examine how digital twins are evolving from isolated prototypes into integrated systems supporting enterprise-wide decision-making.

 

Moderated by Robert Katz, CEO of the World Innovation Network, panelists included Ariane Fikki, senior business development consultant at Hololight; Alan Hill, principal of the executive committee at NuForj LLC; Anthony Uminn, director of innovation and digital transformation for the U.S. Space Force; Mike Vinje, project voice lead at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center; and Caris Baker, art director at Astro Crow.

 

 

Panelists noted that some of the foundational approaches to digital modeling used during the Apollo program continue to influence current efforts in simulation and systems engineering. In his opening remarks, Katz commented on space exploration’s longstanding role in prompting technological development.

 

“What makes space so amazing is that it connects with something deep inside us — the drive to explore and discover what’s beyond what we already know,” Katz said. “It pushes us to look past the next hill or valley to learn what’s out there. In doing that, space inspires us to create new technologies, expand our horizons and bring people together.”

 

Katz emphasized that solving challenges in space requires collaboration across all industries — not just the core technologies like aerospace engineering or simulation software, but the broader ecosystems that make innovation possible.

 

“We need storage, smart cities, semiconductors, software, sensors, spectrum, infrastructure and supply chains,” Katz said. “Every sector has a role, and all the support sectors must work together to make it possible.”

 

He closed his introduction with a call to action for rapid experimentation and systems-level thinking, urging attendees to move beyond theory and start building, testing and iterating in real time.

 

“We’ve got all these great ideas,” Katz said. “But ideas alone aren’t enough. We need to start making stuff, building tangible solutions that can be tested and refined. Innovation happens through rapid iteration — trying things out, learning quickly from failures and continuously improving.”

 

Panelists described digital twins as one method of facilitating this kind of development, allowing organizations to model, test and optimize systems virtually. Fikki said these technologies offer opportunities to better understand complex systems.

 

“The goal is to turn the whole world into a testbed,” Fikki said. “We need to digitize and simulate so we can understand the complexities better. Space needs simulation more than any domain, because we can’t get there easily, and it needs all other domains working together.”

 

She added that space, more than many other domains, stands to benefit from simulation technologies due to the inherent challenges of distance, inaccessibility and high operational risk.

 

Unlike terrestrial industries where physical testing and real-time adjustments are more feasible, space missions often involve environments that are remote, hostile and costly to reach — making digital simulations and virtual testing environments essential for planning, validation and risk mitigation.

 

“We can’t easily access space to conduct testing in the same way we do in other domains,” Fikki said. “That’s why simulation is not just helpful — it is essential. Creating a comprehensive virtual testbed is one of the most practical and scalable ways we have to model, test and refine complex systems before deploying them in the real world.”

 

Uminn said the U.S. Space Force is actively leveraging digital twin technology to enhance the speed and efficiency of its key operational systems. By transitioning from traditional prototyping methods to digital-first modeling, the agency aims to accelerate decision-making processes and improve overall mission readiness.

 

“We’re developing digital twins for our supersystems,” Uminn said. “Each of these systems represents a critical component of our infrastructure, from satellite constellations to ground control to communications. If we want to keep up, we have to reduce the time between simulation and production.”

 

Vinje described how digital twins play a critical role in supporting off-world missions, especially in environments where direct, real-time communication with Earth is limited or delayed.

 

“A digital twin of a habitat, vehicle or a system becomes a reference for training, troubleshooting and planning,” Vinje said. “It’s their manual, their simulator and their operations tool — especially when they can’t wait for a signal from mission control.”

 

Vinje said digital twins are useful for cross-organizational communication. This approach improves coordination, reduces misunderstandings and accelerates problem-solving throughout the lifecycle of space projects.

 

“These models help make highly complex systems understandable to different audiences,” Vinje said. “Whether it’s mission planners, engineers or industry partners, a digital twin provides a shared frame of reference to make better, faster decisions.”

 

Hill addressed digital twins through a manufacturing lens, especially in the context of space-adapted production. By integrating digital twins into manufacturing, he said companies can reduce costly errors, speed up development cycles and improve quality control.

 

“We talk a lot about making things, but it’s not just about fabrication,” Hill said. “What we really need is the capability to test prototypes and manufacture them in a way that’s responsive. Space requires us to do all that under constraints.”

 

Baker encouraged others to remain open to unconventional career paths, particularly when considering opportunities in the space and technology sectors. She said her own journey — beginning with a background in game art and evolving into work with XR and digital twin tech — demonstrates that there is no single, linear path into the space industry.

 

“If you feel like you don’t fit a mold, that doesn’t mean you’re not in the right place. The space economy is still forming, and there’s room to grow with it,” Baker said. “You just have to be willing to follow emerging technologies and keep adapting.”