Product category:
Embedded Software and Operating Systems
News Release from: Green Hills Software | Subject: Integrity-178B
Edited by the Electronicstalk Editorial
Team on 29 December 2003
RTOS helps deploy spacecrew escape
systems
Lockheed Martin Corp has selected the Integrity-178B RTOS for the vehicle management and control system on a novel unmanned crew escape demonstration test bed.
Lockheed Martin Corporation has selected the Integrity-178B real-time operating system (RTOS) for the vehicle management and control system of the Pad Abort Demonstrator (PAD), an unmanned crew escape demonstration test bed supporting the development of the next manned spacecraft The PAD is a full-scale reusable flying test bed that provides a test platform to demonstrate and evaluate technologies associated with launch pad and potentially ascent abort operations for the Orbital Space Plane (OSP) programme
This article was originally published on Electronicstalk on 29 Aug 2002 at 8.00am (UK)
Related stories
RTOS flies in new Sikorsky S-92 helicopter
Rockwell Collins has integrated Green Hills Software's Integrity-178B real-time operating system (RTOS) into the Sikorsky S-92 helicopter's new highly integrated avionics package.
RTOS aids aviation safety certification
Green Hills Software's Integrity-178B RTOS has been selected by Ryan International Corp for avionics product development.
PAD addresses the need to separate the crew from a booster vehicle in the event of an on-pad emergency event.
Lockheed Martin was awarded a $53 million contract to develop, build and fly the PAD system.
Lockheed selected the Green Hills Integrity-178B RTOS and AdaMulti software development tools for the control of the critical tasks that will be needed to demonstrate safe separation and recovery of a crew escape module in the event of a launch emergency.
Further reading
RTOS flies in C-17 transport plane
Green Hills Software's Integrity-178B real-time operating system (RTOS) has been selected for use in the Boeing USAF C-17 Globemaster III jet transport plane.
RTOS to handle fibre-optic gyro navigation system
The Integrity-178B real-time operating system has been selected by Northrop Grumman for use in an inertial navigation system for Airbus single-aisle, long-range and A380 aircraft.
"We need complete confidence in the ARINC 653 compliant operating system software that will control the Pad Abort Demonstrator", said Gary Shubert, PAD Avionics and Software lead, Lockheed Martin Corp.
"Because the Green Hills INTEGRITY-178B RTOS was developed for the man-rated aviation industry, it provides the level of robust safety-critical control that we require for the PAD".
The PAD system builds upon the experience of the earlier manned space-flight missions of the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo programmes.
It will provide for a rocket-powered separation of the crew vehicle from the launch pad.
Escape engines will fire for a few seconds, safely separating the simulated crew up and away from danger.
At an altitude between 1200 and 1800m, parachutes will be deployed to slow the descent of the crew vehicle, while landing skids will be deployed as the vehicle nears the ground.
All of these complex tasks will be under the fully autonomous control of Green Hills Software's Integrity-178B RTOS.
"Our experience with all forms of manned aviation will certainly benefit Lockheed Martin as they demonstrate a modern separation and recovery system for future manned space flight", said David Kleidermacher, Vice President of Engineering at Green Hills Software.
"This is just the latest in a long line of safety-critical systems that rely on the Green Hills Integrity-178B RTOS for control of some of the most complex forms of aviation".
Design of the actual PAD test vehicle is nearly complete at Lockheed Martin, with initial wind tunnel testing completed in October of 2003.
PAD is scheduled for three demonstration flights in 2005 and four demonstration flights in 2006 at the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. Request a free brochure from Green Hills Software ...
• Green Hills Software: contact details and other news
• Email this article to a colleague
• Register for the free Electronicstalk email newsletter
• Electronicstalk Home Page
Search the Pro-Talk network of sites
