The evolution of digital twins is a fascinating journey that began not in the boardrooms of the world’s leading tech companies, but rather within the confines of space exploration agencies.

The origins of the digital twin concept can be traced back to the early 2000s, when NASA pioneered the use of comprehensive, physics-based simulation models of spacecraft for testing and analysis. These models, which were essentially full-scale virtual replicas, or “mock-ups,” of spacecraft, allowed engineers to simulate conditions in space and predict how the spacecraft would perform, making them the precursors to modern digital twins.

The NASA Connection

NASA’s innovative approach was born out of necessity.…