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Case Studies > Analytical Space Aims to Bring High-Speed Internet to Space with Shoebox-Sized Satellites

Analytical Space Aims to Bring High-Speed Internet to Space with Shoebox-Sized Satellites

Technology Category
  • Platform as a Service (PaaS) - Application Development Platforms
  • Analytics & Modeling - Real Time Analytics
Applicable Industries
  • Aerospace
  • Telecommunications
  • Agriculture
Applicable Functions
  • Product Research & Development
  • Quality Assurance
  • Business Operation
Use Cases
  • Remote Asset Management
  • Predictive Maintenance
Services
  • Cloud Planning, Design & Implementation Services
  • System Integration
  • Software Design & Engineering Services
The Challenge
Aerospace startup Analytical Space is developing a relay network of shoebox-sized nanosatellites to deliver the first secure and reliable high-speed internet data connection in space. The team faced significant delays with their previous file-based CAD system due to version control issues and frequent CAD crashes. They needed a cloud-native CAD platform with built-in data management to overcome these challenges.
About The Customer
Analytical Space is a Boston-based aerospace startup founded in 2016. The company is headquartered at The Engine, an MIT incubator for startups in 'tough tech,' focusing on aerospace, biotech, genetics, and green energy. Analytical Space is developing a satellite relay network of shoebox-sized CubeSats to provide secure and reliable high-speed data connections in space. The company has partnered with the U.S. Air Force and has launched two test CubeSats, Radix and Meshbed, into orbit. Their mission is to build the internet infrastructure 2.0 that will exist 200 to 300 miles above Earth, significantly reducing current data bottlenecks in space.
The Solution
Analytical Space adopted Onshape, a cloud-native SaaS product development platform that combines CAD with real-time data management. Onshape's real-time data management allows the team to see design changes instantly, eliminating confusion over version control. The platform's cloud-database architecture prevents work interruptions due to CAD crashes and data corruption. Onshape's comprehensive Edit History feature tracks all changes, allowing engineers to easily revert to any prior state of the design. This new design philosophy has enabled Analytical Space to develop their Meshbed satellite from scratch in just 45 days, significantly faster than their previous design timelines.
Operational Impact
  • Onshape's real-time data management saves the team hours on every project, eliminating confusion over which version of a design is the latest version.
  • The cloud-database architecture of Onshape eliminates work interruptions due to CAD crashes and data corruption common with file-based systems.
  • Onshape's comprehensive Edit History feature allows engineers to easily return to any prior state of the design, enhancing productivity and reducing errors.
Quantitative Benefit
  • Developed the Meshbed satellite from scratch in only 45 days.
  • Achieved 99.99% uptime with Onshape, compared to frequent crashes with traditional file-based CAD platforms.

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