A robust development process for space SW projects

The selection of an effective software development process is a crucial element in any space SW project. The waterfall software life cycle model as is can not provide an adequate solution to their relevant complexity and central role in the elicitation of spacecraft system-level requirements. Its main assumption of moving into a phase only when the preceding one is mature and complete is actually not attainable. In this paper, a tailoring of the waterfall model (named “Robust Feedback Software Life-cycle Model”) is presented. The proposed process sorts out these issues by combining a SW waterfall model with a SW incremental approach. It is currently used in satellite SW projects at OHB System AG. SW product metrics gathered from real SW space projects bear out its effectiveness and robustness against SW requirement evolution.