Isar Aerospace has reached a major milestone for European spaceflight. On 5 September, its Spectrum launch vehicle lifted off from Andøya Spaceport in Norway and successfully delivered payloads into orbit. This marks the first time a commercial European space company has achieved this milestone. Isar Aerospace relies on WSCAD electrical CAD software for the electrical engineering of its test stands and ground infrastructure.
WSCAD congratulates the entire Isar Aerospace team on this achievement.
Isar Aerospace uses WSCAD for electrical engineering
Isar Aerospace has been working with WSCAD since the company’s early days. The electrical CAD software is used for the electrical design and engineering of test stands. The engineering team uses WSCAD to create electrical schematics and design the associated control cabinets.
Electrical engineering plays an important role in the development and testing of launch vehicles. Before components and systems can be used, they need to undergo extensive testing and validation. For this purpose, Isar Aerospace operates various test stands equipped with programmable logic controllers and individually configured control cabinets.
What role does WSCAD play in Isar Aerospace’s rocket testing?
The test facilities range from smaller systems for testing individual components, such as valves and batteries, to complex installations for rocket engine testing. For larger test stands, Isar Aerospace works with a network of interconnected control cabinets containing components such as PLCs, power supplies, contactors, relays, frequency converters and safety equipment.
Reliable and up-to-date electrical documentation is essential for this infrastructure. WSCAD provides the engineering platform for electrical design and control cabinet engineering.
How does WSCAD support electrical design and control cabinet engineering?
Isar Aerospace uses WSCAD to create the electrical schematics for its test stands. Recurring circuits can be stored and reused as macros, helping to accelerate engineering processes while reducing the risk of errors. Once the schematics are complete, the control cabinet layout is designed using WSCAD Cabinet Engineering.
3D design capabilities provide additional support. Components can be positioned according to their actual dimensions and checked for potential collisions. Wire lengths, including routing, can be calculated during the design process, while cable duct fill levels can also be taken into account.
WSCAD therefore supports a consistent digital engineering process, from creating electrical schematics to the detailed design of control cabinets.
Why did Isar Aerospace choose WSCAD?
When Isar Aerospace was founded, its electrical engineers had experience with a range of electrical CAD systems. The team compared several solutions based on their functionality and cost. According to the customer success story, functionality and purchase price were ultimately decisive factors in choosing WSCAD.
As a rapid implementation was essential, the team completed a specially adapted five-day training course. Specific standard circuits, component data and macros were prepared for subsequent use as part of the training. This enabled Isar Aerospace to use WSCAD productively from day one.
Our learning curve was enormous. We were able to work independently and highly effectively with WSCAD‘s software after a very short time.
Marc Rötzer, electrical designer at Isar Aerospace
From WSCAD ELECTRIX to ELECTRIX AI
Today, WSCAD is taking this approach further with ELECTRIX AI, the world’s first and only AI-powered electrical CAD software. ELECTRIX AI helps electrical engineers automate time-consuming routine tasks and significantly accelerate engineering workflows.
The objective is clear: less time spent on repetitive work and more engineering capacity for complex tasks, development and innovation.
Spectrum’s successful flight demonstrates the growing strength and innovation of Europe’s commercial space industry.
WSCAD congratulates Isar Aerospace on this milestone and is proud to support the company with its electrical engineering software.
Learn more about Isar Aerospace and WSCAD
Find out how Isar Aerospace uses WSCAD for the electrical engineering of its test stands and control cabinet design in our detailed Isar Aerospace customer success story.
