Upgrading Software Engineering

As an effort to achieve high reliability of software, we have been implementing activities, such as software Independent Verification and Validation (IV&V) and “software development process improvement” in more than 20 JAXA projects, and have discovered challenges that influence mission accomplishments. We have contributed to the software quality improvement by utilizing the cutting-edge model testing techniques of the industrial world along with the technology of specification languages and such, being compatible with various software development formats, not to arise problems at the development process, in addition to discovering potential challenges.

1.Strengthening of Software Designing and Designing / Verification

We have confirmed that approximately 30 percent of challenges are prevented from arising, if the model based technology is imported and is applied to a developed on-board equipment in establishing technology verification from the early stage of designing, and we are giving a trial test with the Greenhouse gases Observing SATellite-2 (GOSAT-2), which currently is under development.

【Results】
Software IV&V has been implemented for satellites, including “Advanced Land Observing Satellite-2 (ALOS2)” and “Hayabusa2”, which already are actively involved, as well as various projects, such as for “KIBO”―a Japanese experiment module for the International Space Station (ISS)―and for Epsilon launchers, and has contributed to the spacecraft software quality improvement.

2.Software Architecture Technology

By enhancing a blocking software per function, improvement of verification, validation and a structure that is not affected by changes of application levels, we are in the process of formulating subjects necessary for reference architecture in corporation with satellite manufactures.

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3.Verification Enhancement by Virtual Verification Environment

Verification of installed software was not possible until the completion of the hardwire, however through creating a hardwire virtual environment on the computer by taking in use technology which can verify software installation at its earliest stage of development. This is now installed and adopted in H-II A/B rocket devices.