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International Conference on COTS-Based Software Systems

ICCBSS 2003: COTS-Based Software Systems pp 92–100Cite as

The Space Shuttle and GPS: A Safety-Critical Navigation Upgrade

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Part of the book series: Lecture Notes in Computer Science ((LNCS,volume 2580))

Abstract

In 1993, the Space Shuttle Program selected an off-the-shelf Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver to eventually replace the three Tactical Air Navigation units on each space shuttle orbiter. A proven, large production base GPS receiver was believed to be the key to reducing integration, certification, and maintenance costs. More GPS firmware changes, shuttle flight software changes, and flight and ground testing were required than anticipated. This resulted in a 3-year slip in the shuttle GPS certification date. A close relationship with the GPS vendor, open communication among team members, Independent Verification and Validation of source code, and GPS receiver design insight were keys to successful certification of GPS for operational use by the space shuttle.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. LLC, United Space Alliance, 600 Gemini Avenue, 77058-2777, Houston, TX, USA

    John L. Goodman

Authors
  1. John L. Goodman
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Institute for Information Technology M50, National Research Council Canada, 1200 Montreal Road, K1A 0R6, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

    Hakan Erdogmus  & Tao Weng  & 

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© 2003 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

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Goodman, J.L. (2003). The Space Shuttle and GPS: A Safety-Critical Navigation Upgrade. In: Erdogmus, H., Weng, T. (eds) COTS-Based Software Systems. ICCBSS 2003. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol 2580. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/3-540-36465-X_9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/3-540-36465-X_9

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-540-00562-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-540-36465-8

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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