Implementing a Software Verification and Validation Management Framework in the Space Industry

Abstract

Software designed for use in space related applications has a particular set of requirements regarding dependability and reliability, due mostly to the high cost of the finished products and to the difficulties of performing maintenance. In this setting, verification and validation activities become increasingly important and increasingly expensive. At the same time, the industry is under pressure to reduce expenditure without compromising the quality of its products. One option to reduce cost without reducing the overall quality was to develop a framework for the optimization of verification and validation activities. One such framework, called VAMOS [1], was developed at an earlier stage. The current paper presents the implementation of the framework, together with the modifications that were made to ensure success and the reasoning behind those modifications.