Verification and validation of IRAS on-board software

Verification and validation of IRAS on-board software

Nicolai, R.J.

National Aerospace Laboratory NLR

1983-06-23

The infrared Astronomical Satellite IRAS is equipped with an on-board computer system that takes care of vital satellite functions as attitude control, ground dialogue and execution of the observation programs. Therefore an important purpose of the IRAS system tests was the Verification and Validation of the on-board software. The test configuration was largely determined by the attitude control system. Provision of representative inputs for the attitude control system tests, required orbital simulation. The attitude control functions resident in ROM were exercised extensively in closed loop (satellite dynamics model in Ground Checkout computer), providing a flexible environment for combined "black and white box" testing. The less critical but more accurate RAM software had to be exercised in open loop (attitude sensor stimuli precomputed on a mainframe). The large amount of RAM software permitted only functional ("black box") testing. The closed loop method was confirmed to be the most desirable.

verification
validation
reliability
system test
on-board computer
on-board software
IRAS

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Nationaal Lucht- en Ruimtevaartlaboratorium

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(c) 1983 National Aerospace Laboratory NLR