Integrated framework of development and assessment standards for space systems

The functionality and complexity implemented by software in spacecrafts are ever increasing. Consequently, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) invests into maintaining the quality of software high enough, by continuously verifying the quality of artifacts during system development and intensively testing the delivered product. One special situation appears during software development for satellites. In this situation, some suppliers are in charge of both hardware and software development, and therefore, delivery to JAXA takes place only at the end of hardware-software integration. This means that typical reviews (interface between supplier and JAXA) cannot take place during development due to practical reasons. In such cases, monitoring and evaluation becomes complicated. This paper presents the strategy that JAXA has defined for facing these cases, which consists of the definition of a standards framework and the introduction of process assessments.