To produce ENER we had to develop techniques to detect failed components, to allow the computers to be repaired.
To test the effectiveness of these techniques we invented fault
injectors, which simulate real faults in rapid succession and allow
us to see what faults each technique is able to detect.
As
it is not feasible to send someone to repair a satellite that breaks
down, these must have mechanisms to detect, and compensate
automatically, any faults that occur. To test these mechanisms fault
injectors are essential, so our injectors are very useful in
satellite development, namely the one named Xception.
Xception fault Injector
Xception is the fault injector that Critical Software sold to
NASA. Specifically, NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (in
Pasadena, California) purchased a version adapted to the
processor Power PC 750. The Xception was initially developed
at DEI/CISUC, using the Parsytec Xplorer computer, shown on
the side.
Xplorer, computer that gave rise to the name Xception
Board with the ERC32 processor
Another version was sold to the European Space Agency, adapted
to the ERC32 processor (processor compatible with SPARC,
developed by the European Space Agency to resist radiation
from space) — on the side is shown a board with the ERC32
processor, that was used in the development. Other versions
were sold to Chinese Space Agencies, Brazilian and Japanese.
This satellite is a pioneering ESA/NASA mission with the aim of
studying the solar plasma and the Sun's magnetic field. Launched
in 2020, it covered three-quarters of the distance between the
Earth and the Sun, being currently in an orbit that passes closer
to the Sun than Mercury. It has been collecting data that is
already making it possible to greatly improve our knowledge about
the solar radiation, which influences the Earth.
Critical Software is working on validating the software of two
modules: the I-HAB (which is habitable), and the ESPRIT (which
provides additional space and fuel for moving of the space
station).
It will be the first space station to orbit the Moon. Smaller than
the International Space Station that orbits the Earth, is part of
the Artemis program, led by NASA, which aims to put astronauts on
the Moon during the current decade. The first modules are expected
to be launched at the end of 2024.
Critical Software is working on validating the software two
modules, they are: the I-HAB (which is habitable), and the
ESPRIT (which provides additional space and fuel for moving of
the space station). The project of these two modules is led by
the European Space Agency.
There are such a high number of dead satellites, and loose parts,
orbiting the Earth, that they are a big danger to operational
satellites because of a possible collision. The ClearSpace
missions intend to pick up dead satellites and make them
disintegrate in the atmosphere, but also repair or replenish them,
when possible.
In the ClearSpace-1 mission, scheduled to launch in 2026, the
Critical Software develops software that coordinates the various
modules that make up the satellite, such as the communication
with ground control, coordination of systems orbital and
rotation control, and thermal control of the satellite.
