Space Shuttle: NASA Should Implement Independent Oversight of Software Development.

Abstract

The space shuttle is controlled largely by five on-board computer systems. Bugs in these systems' software can cause mission failure, loss of vehicle, even loss of life. Because each shuttle flight is unique, each requires changes to thousands of lines of computer code. Since fiscal year 1981, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has spent more than $324 million developing, testing, and implementing shuttle software to support commercial projects, scientific research, and defense missions. Software has never been reported as a major problem in shuttle operations.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Feb 01, 1991
Accession Number
ADA263318

Entities

People

  • Michael P. Fruitman
  • Rona B. Stillman
  • Ronald W. Beers
  • Sandra K. White
  • Sherrill H. Johnson
  • William H. Thompson

Organizations

  • United States Government Accountability Office

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Materials and Manufacturing Processes
  • Space
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Computer Programs
  • Congress
  • Engineering
  • Governments
  • Information Systems
  • Life Cycles
  • Personnel Management
  • Software Assurance
  • Software Development
  • Software Testing
  • Space Shuttles
  • Space Stations
  • Space Transportation
  • Standards
  • Systems Engineering
  • V Agents

Fields of Study

  • Computer science
  • Physics

Readers

  • Computer Science.
  • Government Contracting/Procurement.
  • Space Exploration and Orbital Mechanics.

Technology Areas

  • Space