© EADS SPACE (click to enlarge)
Due for launch in 2009, LISA Pathfinder will test the technology which will be used in the European Space Agency's (ESA) LISA (Laser Interferometry Space Antenna). LISA will attempt to detect gravitational waves by measuring a change in distance of the order of a millionth of a millimetre over a five million kilometre range.
SciSys was heavily involved with the mission inception in Phase A and is currently a core member of the project team in Phase B. SciSys is responsible for the overall Software Architecture of the spacecraft.
SciSys' roles include:
- Defining the software requirements and Packet Utilisation Standard (PUS) customisation
- Developing the Attitude and Orbit Control (AOCS) software application
- Developing the instrument software
- Subcontracting the Data Handling subsystem development
SciSys has also been responsible for defining the approach to code development which has been proposed to be based on autocode generation from SIMULINK for the AOCS functions. This is to ensure maximum flexibility for the system engineers defining the AOCS algorithms and is based on technology the company has used on the National UNIONICS project.
