Lessons learned: on-board software test automation using IBM rational test realtime

The on-board software for space missions becomes more and more complex due to variety of tasks which it shall fulfill on-board. A high reliability and quality is required as well as its proper behaviour under nominal and fault conditions. The complexity of the software on one hand and its reliability on other hand makes extensive tests during the development phase necessary. Tests themselves and test systems become challenging. The usage of automated test system and a possibility to perform regression tests is essential for achieving high quality software. This paper describes the experience of creating of the automated test system as well as using it for testing embedded real time on-board software developed for the European Space Missions COROT based on the experience of previous projects within Rosetta and Venus Express. IBM Rational Test RealTime was selected as the core of the tests system which implements hardware-in-the-loop testing including interface simulation (e.g. Spacewire and MIL-1553). The software development and it's validation is finalized. The launch of the COROT satellite is planned for 2006