Friday, December 8, 2023

SSC's software mission into space

The Autonomous Systems Laboratory team at Stennis Space Center in Mississippi recently cleared a major milestone for a historic in-flight mission to demonstrate the capabilities of a site-developed autonomous software package

The Stennis team passed its software Flight Readiness Review for the first flight opportunity of ASTRA (Autonomous Satellite Technology for Resilient Applications), a partnership effort with Sidus Space. 

The aerospace company is set to launch its premier satellite platform, LizzieSat (LS), designed to provide turnkey access to space, in 2024. ASTRA Flight Software Version 1.0 now has been loaded on the ASTRA flight hardware and the ASTRA flight unit subsequently installed on the Sidus Space LS-1 satellite. 

This will be the first time NASA Stennis has flown software to space, and we are excited to join with Sidus Space for the mission," said SSC Director Dr. Rick Gilbrech. "It is a great opportunity to demonstrate the capabilities of the NASA Stennis software, as well as the center’s autonomous systems team.” 

The recently completed Flight Readiness Review focused on verifying the baseline software version is ready to fly and function. The software includes vehicle systems management capabilities, as well as the ability to update software versions and add capabilities during the mission, which could last for more than 

Autonomous systems represent a new line of business for Stennis. A recently released strategic plan calls for the center to accelerate the development of intelligent and autonomous aerospace systems needed for government and industry missions. (Stennis Space Center 12/07/23) NASA Stennis Achieves Major Milestone for In-Flight Software Mission - NASA

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