From Start to Finish: Python for Space Missions

Abstract

The software development process for many space observatories is often disjoint and inefficient due to the use of multiple languages during the different phases of mission development. Code and algorithms that are often developed using an interactive, array language during the pathfinding efforts of Phase A are often rewritten in a non-interactive, compiled language for use in the production code for Phase C. This approach leads to inefficiency in both development time and cost and can introduce errors during the rewriting process. Python is one programming language that can be used as a high-level array language and as an efficient, production language. This paper shows how Python will be used during the different phases of development of the Joint Milli-Arcsecond Pathfinder Survey (JMAPS) space mission with an emphasis on code and algorithm reuse from one phase to the next.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 2010
Accession Number
ADA535774

Entities

People

  • C. Dieck
  • C. Poole
  • Ciprian T. Berghea
  • D. Veillette
  • P. Barrett
  • S. Evans

Organizations

  • United States Naval Observatory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Algorithms
  • Artificial Satellites
  • Computer Programming
  • Focal Planes
  • Language
  • Missions
  • Observatories
  • Production
  • Programming Languages
  • Python Programming Language
  • Simulations
  • Simulators
  • Software Development
  • Space Missions

Fields of Study

  • Engineering

Readers

  • Applied Combinatorial Optimization and Logic Circuit Design.
  • Database Systems and Applications
  • Software Engineering

Technology Areas

  • Space