Space Shuttle Software Presentations
Mr. Jim Orr has published some presentations about the space shuttle flight software program. I used to work on this project in the late 1980s thru the early 1990s.
- Lists the 19 in-flight (or terminal countdown) failures of the Space Shuttle Primary Avionics Software System, along with impact of failure and actions taken.
- unique data from the space shuttle program. Data are shown as annual failure rate (in-flight, plus other failures found in testing or training) versus the actual number of unknown (at the time of flight) errors in the flown system.
The GN&C FSW for the shuttles was developed under a CMMI-5 process. We were optimizing our process to be as efficient, yet 100% bug free. It was a unique experience.
Everywhere else that I’ve programmed since always had different priorities. Good enough software was the goal, nothing more. Schedule (which is really budget) was usually set by some marking person.
Anyway, I hope you notice the reduction in found bugs from 1990 to 1994 in those presentations. Cool – huh?
That is what a dedicated team of people can accomplish when their goals align. I’ve also seen what happens when teams do not have the same goals.
