Powering Safe, Reliable, and Secure Space Missions
Space used to be beyond reach to all but the richest governments and a handful of ill-fated private enterprises. Today, opportunities in space look different. Advances in the reduction of size, weight and power consumption of on-board electronic systems, allied to faster development cycles, and reduced launch costs have enabled new business models and made it possible for venture-capital-backed companies to enter the commercial space market. Yet these advances have also brought new challenges, including greater system complexity and growing security risks.
SECURE, RELIABLE SYSTEM DESIGN FOR SPACE DEVELOPMENT
Modern, powerful microprocessors allied to advanced foundational software, enable the development of high-performance applications for embedded systems. High reliability stems from development process - the use of a trusted, proven operating system upon which to write the applications, rigorous testing, and efficient deployment and update mechanisms. This provides the element of mission critical assurance - for operational lifetimes that can span decades.
Technological advances have improved the success rate of launches and operations. However, new security risks affect every stage, from ground to space. In addition, satellites and space craft are in the ‘simply cannot fail’ category. Long development cycles, distributed teams, and human error can lead to failures.
WIND RIVER BRINGS DEPENDABILITY TO SPACE DEVELOPMENT AND OPERATIONS
Wind River has supported numerous space missions since 1994. By providing the foundational software elements — the real‑time operating system and virtualization software — we enable secure and reliable space systems design. Our space solutions cover the entire development phase, from the lab, to the ground station, to Mars, and can be deployed as individual products or as integrated solutions. Wind River supports the acceleration of development, the enhancement of safety, and the security of next-generation space development with proven technological capabilities.
VxWorks® from Wind River is integrated with NASA’s Core Flight System (CFS) and F Prime (F’) flight system. Wind River is also actively supporting risk reduction and maturation efforts on the High Performance Space Computer (HPSC), the RISC-V-based next generation mission systems platform, utilizing VxWorks. Wind River is a major contributor to help define Space Grade Linux, a highperformance, highly available Linux distribution tailored to the rigorous demands of space.
WIND RIVER PRODUCT PORTFOLIO
Wind River offers the highest levels of safety, security, and reliability. Our portfolio delivers development, deployment, and support solutions for all space needs, from LEO smallsats to manned missions to distant planets.
CUSTOMER SUCCESS STORIES
NASA
Wind River has been providing real-time operating systems and full-system simulators to support important space missions since 1994. www.windriver.com/inspace
Astroscale
End-of-Life Service Line (ELSA-M) uses VxWorks to solve satellite operators’ debris removal challenges and promote sustainable space systems. www.windriver.com/success-stories/astroscale