Airbus Netherlands is revolutionising satellite production by embracing advanced digital technologies to improve precision, accelerate timelines, and ensure quality. In collaboration with Emixa and Siemens Digital Industries Software, the aerospace leader is transforming its processes using the Xcelerator portfolio to meet the growing demands of space innovation.
A Strategic Leap Towards Digital Transformation
Satellite manufacturing is among the most complex fields in the aerospace sector. To stay competitive and meet the surging demand for reliable, high-performance satellites, Airbus Netherlands has turned to digital transformation as a key enabler. By adopting Siemens’ advanced software solutions - including Teamcenter for product lifecycle management (PLM) and NX for CAD and simulation - Airbus is enhancing design precision, collaboration, and traceability across engineering disciplines.
This partnership reflects a broader trend in the industry where aerospace companies are rapidly integrating PLM software, CAD tools, and digital twin technology to remain agile and efficient. As the market for small satellites and reusable launch systems grows, the need for rapid iteration and quality assurance becomes paramount.
From Siloed Systems to Seamless Collaboration
Before the transformation, Airbus Netherlands faced challenges with siloed systems and fragmented information flows. By implementing Teamcenter, all engineering data is now managed in a central platform, enabling better visibility, change management, and version control across departments. The integration with NX Design means that design and simulation teams can work in tandem with real-time updates, reducing time-to-market significantly.
“With Siemens Xcelerator and support from Emixa, we are now able to collaborate more effectively and reduce manual processes,” said an Airbus spokesperson. “This has accelerated our production timelines and increased confidence in product quality.”
This upgrade also aligns with industry best practices in model-based systems engineering (MBSE), allowing Airbus to design and validate satellite components virtually before physical prototyping begins.
Enhanced Simulation and Predictive Engineering
The integration of Simcenter within the toolchain enables Airbus to simulate real-world performance conditions early in the design phase. Whether it’s thermal stress, material fatigue, or electromagnetic interference, engineers now have the ability to test their assumptions digitally - saving time and cost during validation.
Additionally, Siemens’ digital thread capability ensures that every change, test, and approval is recorded, improving regulatory compliance and audit readiness - crucial in a highly regulated sector like aerospace.
Impact & Reactions
This digital shift marks a major milestone not only for Airbus Netherlands, but for the wider European aerospace ecosystem. As governments and private firms continue to invest in space exploration, the need for scalable digital manufacturing solutions has never been greater.
The implementation has also sparked interest from peers and suppliers, many of whom are exploring similar digital transformation journeys. Emixa’s role as a trusted Siemens partner has been central to this success, providing tailored consultancy, implementation, and support services across the transformation lifecycle.
Social media reactions from the engineering community have been overwhelmingly positive, with many praising the move as a necessary step toward Industry 4.0 in aerospace.
Airbus Netherlands’ collaboration with Siemens and Emixa demonstrates how embracing digital solutions like PLM, digital twins, and integrated CAD/CAM tools can streamline complex engineering processes. The result: faster innovation, higher quality, and a future-proof production environment.
As satellite technology becomes more essential to communications, navigation, and defence, expect to see more aerospace manufacturers following Airbus’ lead in digitalising their operations from end to end.
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