Flight Software Systems Branch/Code 582

The Flight Software Systems Branch provides on-board, embedded software products that enable spacecraft hardware, science instruments and flight components to operate as an integrated on-orbit science observatory. This includes flight software and associated high fidelity simulation test systems. Branch personnel provide life-cycle flight software engineering; including early mission formulations and designs, requirements analysis, development, verification and validation, and mission life-sustaining engineering. Flight software leadership strives for effective advancements in flight hardware and software architectures, operations ground/flight interfaces, onboard autonomy, onboard science data analysis and test-beds. Flight software prototypes are implemented as proofs-of-concept for future missions. Formalized reuse of flight software products plus the utilization of standards and commercially available products reduce flight program complexities, risks, costs and schedules.