Spacebel Data Handling Software

Spacebel’s Data Handling Software is the company’s generic on-board flight software product line, developed since 1990 and flown on missions such as the ESA PROBA series, EUCLID, MetOp-SG and the HERA/RAMSES planetary defence spacecraft. It is designed to be essentially platform- and mission-independent, providing a reusable Application Framework (AFW) that facilitates the integration of Equipment Managers and mission-specific applications.

The software implements the ECSS Packet Utilisation Standard (PUS) for telemetry and telecommand handling and supports File Based Operations via a standard File Delivery Protocol. It offers a complete solution for on-board control procedures (OBCP), enabling autonomous on-board sequencing of operations. The framework is designed to run with different real-time executives, including multiprocessor and separation-kernel configurations, and integrates with Hardware Dependent Software layers to form a complete Execution Platform Software.

Typical on-board applications built on the framework include control of platform functions such as thermal control, electrical power management, attitude and orbit control, and operational safety/security, as well as management of scientific and Earth observation payloads. Spacebel’s Flight Segment engineering team takes full responsibility for the software lifecycle, from concept studies and requirements/specification, through architecture, design and development, to validation, qualification and delivery into the target environment. Spacebel is an active contributor to the ECSS PUS Working Group and the elaboration of the PUS-C standard.