The Corot instruments software: towards intrinsically reconfigurable real-time embedded processing software in space-borne instruments

In this work-in-progress paper we present the first step on the first attempt to design intrinsically reconfigurable software for single-processor instruments of scientific satellites. After disserting on the specifications particular of the space field for the reconfiguration, we argue that the most suitable reconfigurability level is overloading tasks and functions of the application. Dynamic to semi-dynamic reconfiguration will fulfill most of the common needs. We state that the reconfiguration of real-time embedded software for space-borne systems relies on an intrinsically reconfigurable software design and well-defined ground segment operations. A promising technique seems to be to design the reconfigurable parts of the software as a set of proxy-accessible objects. We present the first step in designing such software for the French astrophysical satellite Corot.