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Space Systems and Software Engineering Workshop

Length: 2 Days
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Space Systems and Software Engineering Workshop by Tonex

Digital Engineering for Space Missions Masterclass

This intensive workshop introduces the principles, processes, tools, and real-world practices of systems and software engineering for space missions. It covers both space segment (satellite, payload, avionics) and ground segment (command/control, data processing) software, emphasizing lifecycle management, mission assurance, reliability, and standards compliance.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:

  • Understand the space mission lifecycle and how systems and software engineering fit into it.
  • Apply systems engineering principles to the design of spacecraft and space-ground systems.
  • Develop software requirements, architecture, and verification plans for space applications.
  • Implement best practices for fault tolerance, safety, and real-time performance in space software.
  • Navigate standards such as ECSS, NASA-STD, DO-178C, and ISO/IEC/IEEE 15288.
  • Integrate software development with hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) simulation and validation.
  • Collaborate across disciplines to ensure mission assurance, data integrity, and lifecycle support.

Target Audience

  • Space systems engineers
  • Software developers working on aerospace and satellite systems
  • Aerospace program managers
  • Payload, avionics, and bus integration engineers
  • Ground segment software teams
  • Mission assurance, safety, and quality specialists
  • Government and contractor technical staff
  • New entrants to the space software domain

Workshop Agenda:

Day 1: Space Systems Engineering Foundations

Module 1: Introduction to Space Systems Engineering

  • Mission types: Earth observation, communications, navigation, exploration
  • Space mission lifecycle: Pre-Phase A to Phase E
  • Key elements: bus, payload, launch, ground, and operations
  • TRLs (Technology Readiness Levels) and SRLs (Software Readiness)

Module 2: Requirements Engineering for Space Missions

  • Functional vs. non-functional requirements
  • Use of models and simulations in requirements definition
  • Interface Control Documents (ICDs)
  • Traceability matrices and verification planning

Module 3: System Architecture and Design

  • Space system architecture layers: physical, functional, logical
  • Satellite subsystems (ADCS, EPS, TT&C, thermal, propulsion)
  • Communication interfaces (RF links, telemetry/telecommand protocols)
  • Design trade studies and decision analysis tools

Module 4: Standards, Risk & Mission Assurance

  • ECSS, NASA-STD-8739, ISO/IEC/IEEE 15288
  • Model-based systems engineering (MBSE) and SysML
  • Mission assurance principles: redundancy, derating, environment factors
  • Risk analysis: FMEA, FTA, hazard logs

Day 2: Software Engineering for Space Systems

Module 5: Embedded & Real-Time Software for Space

  • Software roles: guidance, navigation, control (GNC), telemetry, FDIR
  • Real-time operating systems (RTOS): VxWorks, RTEMS
  • Resource-constrained embedded programming: timing, memory, CPU usage
  • Space-grade processors and software-hardware interaction

Module 6: Software Lifecycle & Quality Engineering

  • Software lifecycle: planning, development, testing, maintenance
  • Agile vs. V-model vs. hybrid in space programs
  • DO-178C/DO-330 overview for software assurance
  • Coding standards: MISRA, NASA JPL Coding Guidelines

Module 7: Testing, Verification & Validation (V&V)

  • Unit, integration, and system-level software testing
  • SIL (Software-in-the-loop), HIL (Hardware-in-the-loop)
  • Simulation tools: MATLAB/Simulink, STK, GMAT
  • Fault injection, stress testing, timing analysis

Module 8: Ground Segment & Software Integration

  • Ground control systems and mission planning software
  • Uplink/downlink protocols: CCSDS, SDLS, CFDP
  • Spacecraft Operations Language (e.g., SCOS-2000)
  • Telemetry analysis, anomaly tracking, patch and update systems

Interactive Activities & Tools

  • MBSE/SysML Exercise: Draw a use case and sequence diagram for a satellite TT&C system
  • Group Workshop: Write software requirements for a space camera control module
  • Scenario Drill: Analyzing a real spacecraft anomaly and proposing a resolution
  • Model Review: Trace space system requirements through functional architecture

Course Materials

  • Slide deck (PDF)
  • Space Systems Engineering Workbook
  • MBSE modeling templates (SysML)
  • Software standards and process maps (NASA, ESA, ISO)
  • Lifecycle checklists and verification templates
  • Code review and testing plan samples
  • Custom modules for CubeSats, defense applications, or AI-in-space software

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