Reducing the risks of using Ada onboard the Space Station

The Ada programming language was chosen by NASA as the primary computer programming language for the development of new software for the US Space Station. Ada was selected based on the results of investigations coordinated through Johnson Space Center (JSC) and that resulted in the identification of a set of problems and risks associated with using software developed in Ada. Some of the specific solutions to problems identified through these investigations are described. Three areas in which Ada's use poses risks are discussed: real-time process control; the testing and verification of flight software for man-rated systems; and software error detection, identification, and recovery required in safety-critical systems