Working Group B

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Working Group B

Integration and Test Approaches for Modern Ground Software Systems: What Works and What doesn’t at the Code, System, and System of System Levels
(Recording)

Description

Ground systems are developed increasingly with modern architectures such as microservices and modern practices such as Agile and DevOps/DevSecOps and deployed on various modern cloud platforms. How have participants addressed the rapid pace and increasing integration and test frequency when Continuous Integration and Continuous Delivery (CI/CD) methods are used? Do automated tests cover all the important functionality? Have participance found more frequent I&T of smaller changes to be cost effective? Have programs shifted to microservices and what were the results? This workshop will allow participants to share their practical experiences, lessons learned, and best practices for the integration and test of such software at three levels:

  • The developer level where the software branches need to be merged into a software component and tested automatically,
  • The system level, where many components of the ground system need to be demonstrated together,
  • The system of systems level, where the ground system needs to interoperate with other systems, such as the space system or a data processing system.

The format proposed is to have a short introduction on the topic based on an unpublished Aerospace report on ground system integration and test using modern practices, then open up to the attendees to discuss their practical experiences, lessons learned, and best practices for all to learn from. After the workshop a summary of the notes taken can be published alongside the workshop recording on the GSAW website.

Leads Robert Crombie and Jason McKenney, The Aerospace Corporation

Biographies

Robert B. Crombie has been involved with research and development of aircraft and space systems for over 40 years. During 24 years of active duty with the Air Force, he performed roles ranging from flight test engineer, manned spaceflight engineer, systems engineering lead, and deputy program manager. Since then he has continued to work
in the integration of national space and ground systems for several firms. Currently Rob is a Senior Project Leader for the Aerospace Corporation in El Segundo, CA where he advises various programs on integration and test issues. He has a B.S. in Engineering Sciences from the Air Force Academy, and a M.S. in Aeronautics from the California Institute of Technology. He is recognized by INCOSE as an Expert Systems Engineering Professional.

Jason P. McKenney has more than 20 years experience with software development, integration, and test activities. Most of his career has been spent with commercial firms developing software, designing continuous integration pipelines, and leading small teams. He currently works in the Software Systems & Acquisition Department at Aerospace and is a key author of an unpublished report on agile ground software system integration and test. He has a B.S. in Telecommunications from the University of Kentucky, and an MBA from California State University – Dominguez Hills.

Presentation

Working Group B Outbrief
Robert Crombie and Jason McKenney, The Aerospace Corporation
Integration and Test Approaches for Modern Ground Software Systems Workshop: What Works and What Doesn’t
Robert Crombie and Jason McKenney, The Aerospace Corporation