--- title: 'Aerospace & Defence: 3D Visualization for Aviation, Space and Defence Technology' description: '3D visualization and AR for aerospace & defence: satellites, aircraft, defence systems. Decision-ready for funding rounds, investor pitches and procurement. Confidential, on-premise available.' slug: en/aerospace-defence date: '2026-07-09T09:00:00.000Z' author: Gerhard Schröder excerpt: '3D visualization and AR for aerospace & defence: satellites, aircraft, defence systems. Decision-ready for funding rounds, investor pitches and procurement, confidential and on-premise available.' canonical: https://visales.de/en/aerospace-defence.html --- Industry · Aerospace & Defence # Aerospace & Defence: 3D Visualization for Aviation, Space and Defence Technology Making satellites, aircraft and systems that do not exist yet decision-ready: in funding conversations, investor pitches and procurement preparation. In 3D, AR and as rendering, without an app. **Confidential from day one:** NDA on every project, your release chain, only the outer shell instead of the design, sealed files, on-premise on request. → More on confidentiality ### At a Glance Aerospace and defence projects get decided before hardware exists: in funding phases, financing rounds and procurement processes. **That is exactly where visual sales communication comes in: it makes system architecture, deployment scenarios and dimensions tangible when only CAD fragments, sketches or concepts exist so far.** The foundation is a 3D master file based on the open **OpenUSD** standard: built once, used many times. From it come 3D visualizations and renderings, animations, photo and video, AR on iPhone and iPad, Apple Vision Pro, websites with 3D elements, flyers and product configurators. viSales acts as a full-service partner for marketing and sales in aviation, space and defence technology, for startups and established manufacturers alike. Updates run on the same data source, on project timelines rather than agency timelines. ### Why This Works in This Industry **Decisions get made before hardware exists.** For DIEGOSat, years passed between the first CAD fragments and real hardware. The funding commitment still came through in the first summer: the model closed the gap. **Decision-makers are rarely engineers.** Policymakers, investors, procurement officers decide on systems they cannot fully understand in technical detail. Spatial representation replaces repeated rounds of explanation. **One data source, every channel.** Pitch on the iPad, rendering for the press release, animation for the trade show, 1:1 model in the parking lot: from a single OpenUSD source. Based in Bochum, Germany, serving space, aviation and defence technology customers in Germany and internationally. → [Case study Astrofein: satellite visualization](https://visales.de/astrofein.html) → [Websites with 3D elements and in-browser AR](https://visales.de/spatial-website.html) → [Case study Carl Hamm: 3D rendering, roll-up and AR via QR code](https://visales.de/carl-hamm.html) Space ## Satellites and Space Systems: Visible Before Launch From Earth observation to educational outreach: making complex systems tangible before they are in orbit. Astrofein · Earth Observation Funding commitment with a satellite that did not exist yet From rough CAD data to a realistic model, presented in AR before state government officials and ESA astronauts. Customer project for Astrofein (Berlin). ### More about the project For DIEGOSat, rough CAD data became a realistic OpenUSD model, presented in AR at the DLR pitch event in Cologne, before the state premier and ESA astronauts. The funding commitment for the feasibility study came through that same summer. Today the visualization is accompanying the project into its next, multi-million-euro phase. → [Case study Astrofein: satellite visualization](https://visales.de/astrofein.html) ESA / ESERO · Education & Institutions Sentinel-2 at full scale, no app required, deployed nationwide Earth observation satellites as browser-based AR experiences for events, schools and trade shows. Commissioned in an educational context for ESA/ESERO Deutschland. ### More about the project For ESA subsidiary ESERO Deutschland, several Earth observation satellites were prepared as browser-based AR experiences, for events, schools and trade shows. Access via QR codes on carpets and roll-ups. Institutional requirements: stability, accessibility, no app requirement. Lamb Space Tec · CubeSats From component supplier to satellite provider: the product vision in 3D 3D visualizations of future products, first among them a complete CubeSat. Plus trade show material and a new website. Customer project for Lamb Space Tec (Heiligenhaus, Germany). ### More about the project Lamb Space Tec has so far supplied components for small satellites: injection-moulded PEEK CubeSat structures and shape memory alloy actuators. In future, the company will offer complete CubeSats. viSales makes this product vision visible before it can be bought: 3D visualizations of the future products, brochures and poster graphics for trade shows, and a new website to match the new direction. An explainer video is in production. > “Your AR satellites go down really well at events! It's also so practical that they run on any smartphone, with no app and no ads.” ESA / ESERO Deutschland, on Sentinel-2 and DIEGOSat, translated from German [(source)](https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:ugcPost:7486328677060911104?commentUrn=urn%3Ali%3Acomment%3A%28ugcPost%3A7486328677060911104%2C7487452259711164416%29) Aviation ## Explaining Aircraft Before They Fly From the VTOL aircraft to the firefighting drone: the decisive detail experienced in space, not buried in a datasheet. 3:57 VTOLogic (USA) · eVTOL A VTOL aircraft investors can hear and see before it exists Immersive AR experience of the planned aircraft including spatial audio: rotor sounds from the correct direction. Customer project for the US startup VTOLogic (formerly Panspatial). ### More about the project For the US startup VTOLogic (formerly Panspatial), an immersive AR experience of the planned VTOL aircraft was created, including spatial audio: rotor sounds from the correct direction. The aerodynamic flap mechanism, the central differentiator, becomes experienceable in space instead of explained in a datasheet. → [VTOLogic: AR case study on video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qz2mDm2KhGo) FFD Fire Fighting Dragon · Public Safety Investor convinced before the prototype was finished Graphics and AR visualization in the extinguishing configuration, based solely on the product concept. Customer project for FFD Fire Fighting Dragon. ### More about the project For the FFD startup project, graphics and AR visualization in the extinguishing configuration were created based solely on the product concept. While the prototype was still being built, the project found an investor. The platform is designed for further deployment profiles. Trade Press ## Two Pages in the AeroSpace.NRW Magazine [ ](https://visales.de/assets/docs/2026/07/AeroSpace-NRW-Magazin-5-viSales-Artikel-Seite-40-41.pdf) [ ](https://visales.de/assets/docs/2026/07/AeroSpace-NRW-Magazin-5-viSales-Artikel-Seite-40-41.pdf) [ ](https://visales.de/assets/docs/2026/07/AeroSpace-NRW-Magazin-5-viSales-Artikel-Seite-40-41.pdf) Cover and article pages: AeroSpace.NRW magazine, issue 5, January 2026. Images courtesy of [AeroSpace.NRW](https://aerospace.nrw). "Engineering data brought to life: augmented reality for sales and marketing" AeroSpace.NRW is the aerospace industry network commissioned by the Ministry of Economic Affairs of North Rhine-Westphalia. Issue 5 of the magazine describes over two pages how viSales prepares engineering data for sales and marketing, featuring the Polaris MIRA II and Astrofein DIEGOSat projects, app-free via QR code all the way to Apple Vision Pro. > "[viSales] is among Europe's leading service providers for preparing engineering data in USDZ format, from automotive to aerospace." AeroSpace.NRW magazine, issue 5, page 41 → [Read the article](https://visales.de/assets/docs/2026/07/AeroSpace-NRW-Magazin-5-viSales-Artikel-Seite-40-41.pdf) (PDF, pages 40 and 41) → [Full issue 5 at AeroSpace.NRW](https://aerospace.nrw/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/AeroSpace.NRW_Magazine_Ausgabe-5-Online.pdf) (PDF, 48 pages) viSales is listed in the AeroSpace.NRW directory of aerospace players (as of March 2026) as one of around 200 aviation and space companies in North Rhine-Westphalia, and is registered in the directory “Deutsche Raumfahrtakteure” (Raumfahrtakteure.de) as one of 400+ companies. → [AeroSpace.NRW directory](https://aerospace.nrw/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Akteursverzeichnis_Stand_20260320.pdf) (PDF) → [Entry at Raumfahrtakteure.de](https://raumfahrtakteure.de/entry/133183-visales-gmbh) Defence & Dual-Use ## Defence Technology and Dual-Use: Confidential, Precise, Decision-Ready Defence projects follow their own rules: sensitive data, long procurement cycles, decision-makers with no time to spare. Visual communication has to do both: convince and protect. The fact that a good demo convinces more than any explanation is nothing new in the defence sector: [in 1897, the Turbinia outran every warship at a fleet review](https://visales.de/turbinia-1897-die-wahre-mutter-aller-produktdemos.html). 0:49 Polaris Spaceplanes · Spaceplane / Hypersonic A 28-metre spaceplane as a pitch tool, from the tabletop to the parking lot Flight phases made understandable even for non-engineers, as a tabletop model or at full scale next to the vehicle. Customer project for Polaris Spaceplanes (Bremen). ### More about the project For POLARIS, the 3D data of the spaceplane was reduced and animated so that flight phases become understandable even for non-engineers. In AR, the aircraft appears either as a tabletop model or at full scale next to the investor's vehicle. POLARIS works with the [Bundeswehr (German Armed Forces)](https://www.bundeswehr.de) and cooperates with [Diehl Defence](https://new.diehl.com/defence/de/presse-medien/news/diehl-defence-und-polaris-unterzeichnen-kooperationsvereinbarung). → [Polaris: AURORA as an AR tabletop model on video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fV4LXH3TbtM) (video: 49 sec.) DeterTech · Perimeter Protection The conversation starts at decision-maker level, not with the basics A 3D animation video prepares the meeting, the AR models come from the same data. Customer project for DeterTech. ### More about the project For DeterTech (perimeter protection and intrusion detection), a 3D animation video prepares the meeting. The AR models come from the same 3D data. Security technology needs a lot of explaining and deployment environments are sensitive: visualization replaces on-site demos. → [Case study DeterTech: animation video & AR in sales](https://visales.de/fallbeispiel-detertech-wie-animationsvideo-ar-entscheidungen-im-vertrieb-vorbereiten.html) Auner · Pioneer Engineering / Specialist Civil Engineering A trenching machine for civil engineering and for military trenches Working principle and deployment scenarios without a demo unit, for civilian and defence-technology prospects alike. Customer project for Auner. ### More about the project For engineering firm Auner, a 3D visualization of a trenching machine was created, a machine that digs trenches for civilian construction just as well as it digs defence trenches. The visualization explains the working principle and deployment scenarios without a demo unit, for conversations with civilian and defence-technology prospects alike. → [Auner founder story at WFG Kreis Viersen](https://wfg-kreis-viersen.de/gruender-geschichten/das-graben-optimieren-idee-marcus-auner/) Ratel X · Demo configurator One vehicle, four mounts, every variant as data Pick a mount, see the dimensions, place it in your room in AR on an iPhone. Built with USDconfig, the software behind our 3D configurators. → [Open the Ratel X configurator](https://visales.de/en/ratel-x-konfigurator.html) AI Sleipnir · Post-Quantum Cryptography Post-quantum security explained, for customer and investor conversations Pitch presentations for the ongoing search for customers and investors in the field of post-quantum cryptography (PQC). AI Sleipnir is part of the successful first batch of the DefenseTech-Inkubator.NRW. Due to NDA and the sensitive topics of defence and crypto, further project details are confidential, only this reference is public. → [DefenseTech-Inkubator.NRW](https://defensetechinkubator.nrw) → [aisleipnir.com](https://aisleipnir.com) Commissioned by · Bundeswehr ## Commissioned by the Bundeswehr: Expert Lecture on AR in Defence November 2024, Zentrum Informationsarbeit Bundeswehr (ZInfoABw, the Bundeswehr Center for Information Operations), Strausberg near Berlin. The Bundeswehr commissioned Gerhard Schröder (viSales) to deliver an expert lecture on augmented reality in everyday life and in defence, given to around 150 officers and personnel. A direct commission, not a guest contribution. The short teaser is the announcement video for the lecture. The lecture itself is subject to confidentiality. Commissioned directly by the Bundeswehr, the lecture itself confidential: viSales speaks the language of aerospace and defence, even in front of expert audiences. From the Visual-Com Podcast Voices from the Defence World Conversations with well-known voices from defence and security policy. → [The State of Defence, with defence YouTuber Clemens Speer (Ep. 81)](https://visales.de/zur-lage-der-verteidigung-visual-com-podcast-ep-81.html) → [Political Influencer 2024, with Bundeswehr officer David Matei (Ep. 86)](https://visales.de/politischer-influencer-2024-mit-david-matei-visual-com-podcast-ep-86.html) Confidentiality & Data Sovereignty ## Visualising classified CAD data without handing over the design Security-sensitive and regulated fields call for their own way of working: 1. Every aerospace and defence project we take on runs under NDA, which is standard in this industry. Data is accepted only after agreement. 2. Security and approvals: we work within your release chain. Every file that leaves the building has been cleared with you first. 3. Abstracted models: 3D data is prepared so that the IP cannot be reconstructed, while the product still convinces. 4. Delivery on request as sealed files, fully offline and on-premise. No cloud requirement. 5. Clear data sovereignty: source data stays with the client. That makes us all the more glad about every client we are allowed to show here, even if, as with AI Sleipnir, it is only the name without project details. **Example Polaris Spaceplanes:** For the AR model of the spaceplane we prepared only the outer shell. The patented engine was remodelled in simplified form, so we never needed internal design data in the first place. → [Polaris Spaceplanes: design data stays with the client](https://visales.de/polaris-spaceplanes.html) (in German) **Confidentiality across the workflow:** USDseal is a tool developed by viSales. With it, protecting 3D data is planned in from the start, not added at delivery. An export creates a daughter file from the master, filtered by classification, for example marketing parts only, with a record of what was released. Revised parts flow back into the master in a controlled way. → [USDseal: provenance and lineage for 3D data](https://visales.de/usdseal.html) (in German) Try It Yourself ## Try It Yourself, in 30 Seconds Scan the QR code and place the DIEGOSat 2025 planning-stage model as AR in your own room. No app store, no login. A real customer project as live proof. Best scanned with an iPhone or iPad. Technology Reference ## From Tabletop Model to 100 Metres at Full Scale The iconic Starship as an AR experience, built twice over: as a compact tabletop version for presentations and at full scale, over 100 metres tall. The demo shows the level of detail the OpenUSD/USDZ pipeline achieves app-free on iPhone and iPad. Deliberately marked as a technology reference. These 3D models were created for the YouTube channel Senkrechtstarter by Moritz Vieth. → [Space & YouTube, with space YouTuber Moritz Vieth (Ep. 76)](https://visales.de/raumfahrt-youtube-visual-com-podcast-ep-76.html) Personal ## Why Aerospace? A Personal Answer [ ](https://www.youtube.com/shorts/bMt-szPymfM) The enthusiasm for space did not begin for [Gerhard Schröder](https://visales.de/gerhard-schroeder.html) with a client project, but with a book about Wernher von Braun, a gift from his grandfather, and watching Columbia's maiden flight from a hospital bed. ## Book an Initial Assessment Call You speak directly with Gerhard Schröder, managing director of viSales. No pitch. No sales pressure. An honest assessment, on equal footing. For confidential projects: NDA in advance, not a problem. 30 minutes·No proposal·No obligation [Book a Call](https://visales.de/kontakt.html) We typically respond within one business day. Frequently Asked Questions About Aerospace & Defence ### ### What is 3D visualization and AR used for in aviation, space and defence technology? To show satellites, aircraft and systems as decision-ready before hardware exists: in funding rounds, investor pitches and procurement preparation. System architecture, deployment scenarios and dimensions become tangible where only CAD fragments, sketches or concepts exist so far. ### ### How does a usable 3D or AR model emerge from CAD fragments or an idea? Existing CAD data is reduced and prepared for sales use, missing assemblies are plausibly extrapolated and aligned with the engineers. The foundation is an OpenUSD master file, from which renderings, AR, animations and web output are generated. FFD and DIEGOSat started from a concept and CAD fragments respectively. ### ### When does it make sense to use this in an aerospace project? Whenever decisions are made before hardware exists and the decision-makers are not engineers: funding panels, investors, procurement officers. Spatial representation replaces repeated rounds of explanation. The earlier the model is ready, the longer it carries value through every project phase. ### ### When is augmented reality not the right choice? If a product is already tangible and self-explanatory, AR is unnecessary effort. Photo, video or a rendering are enough in that case. AR pays off when something is too large, too complex or not yet built. ### ### What does 3D and AR offer over a physical model or a slide presentation? A physical model is expensive, difficult to transport and static, slides remain abstract. From a single OpenUSD source, by contrast, come a pitch on the iPad, a rendering for the press, an animation for the trade show and a 1:1 model in the parking lot, all from the same data source and updatable at any time. ### ### What is OpenUSD and why is it relevant for aerospace projects? OpenUSD is an open 3D standard, backed by Apple, NVIDIA, Pixar and the Alliance for OpenUSD. For aerospace this means: a single data source delivers every output format, from AR through rendering to web, without platform lock-in and without duplicate pipelines. This protects investment over the long project lifecycle. → [OpenUSD for decision-makers, with an example from naval shipbuilding (frigate F126)](https://visales.de/openusd.html) ### ### How is confidential engineering data protected? Every aerospace and defence project runs under NDA. We work within your release chain, with abstracted models and sealed files, on-premise and offline deployment available. Source data stays with the client. With USDseal, a tool developed by viSales, daughter files can be exported by classification, with a record of what was released. ### ### Does viSales also work on dual-use and defence technology products? Yes, under clear rules: contractual confidentiality, German data hosting on request, visualization for communication and decision preparation. ### ### On which devices do the AR models run? iPhone, iPad, Apple Vision Pro. Android without an app in the browser. Access via QR code or link. → [Apple vs. Android AR: the differences explained](https://visales.de/apple-vs-android-augmented-reality-unterschiede-erklart.html) ### ### What does 3D visualization or an AR model for aerospace and defence cost? As a guideline: a deployable AR exhibit starts at roughly 3,000 to 6,000 euros, a more comprehensive AR solution ranges between 4,000 and 20,000 euros, depending on data basis and scope. Initial consultation is free. More on the [Augmented Reality](https://visales.de/augmented-reality.html) and [Trade Shows](https://visales.de/messen.html) pages. → [Book an initial assessment call](https://visales.de/kontakt.html) ### ### Aerospace and Defence References at a Glance | Reference | Relationship | Domain | | --- | --- | --- | | Astrofein | Customer | Space | | ESA / ESERO Deutschland | Customer | Space | | VTOLogic (USA) | Customer | Aviation | | FFD Fire Fighting Dragon | Customer | Public Safety | | Polaris Spaceplanes | Customer | Defence & Dual-Use | | DeterTech | Customer | Defence & Dual-Use | | Auner | Customer | Defence & Dual-Use | | Starship | Technology Reference | Space |