AERO Project: Java Technology for Space Applications

<next>  <prev>  <back>

02-aug-02

AERO Project: Java Technology for Space Applications

Karlsruhe, 2 August 2002.

The European Space Agency (ESA) develops the basis for future software development in space applications within the AERO project. The objective of this project is to specify and develop a Java Virtual Machine that takes into account the severe constraints brought by the space domain. For on-board systems in satellites, these constraints include safety-critical and realtime software requirements.

As the basis of the development, the Java implementation JamaicaVM was chosen. JamaicaVM provides deterministic execution in conjunction with low memory overhead and high runtime performance as required by critical on-board satellite applications. Deterministic automatic memory management (garbage collection) is a requirement for object-oriented development in time-critical applications.

The use of an interpreted solution based on the Java languages brings a number of benefits to space systems. It enables the specification, development and validation of application programs late in the life-cycle even during operational activity of the satellite in orbit. Furthermore, it permits one to isolate the execution context of applications from the rest of the system to protect vital functions from software failures.

Partners in the AERO project are Astrium SAS, France, aicas GmbH, Germany, and the University of Link�ping, Sweden. Astrium provides its experience in the development of space applications, while aicas provides the base Java technology. The University of Link�ping adds static analysis for deterministic memory management.

For further information, please contact

aicas GmbH
Dr. Fridtjof Siebert
Director of Development
Tel. +49 721 663 968-23
Fax. +49 721 663 968-93
siebert@aicas.com

Additional online information:

AERO-Website: http://www.aero-project.org
Press Releases: http://www.aicas.com/press.html
Press Pictures: http://www.aicas.com/images.html
E-Mail: info@aicas.com

About aicas GmbH

The aicas GmbH was founded in March of 2001. It was spun-off from the FZI Forschungszentrum Informatik and the University of Karlsruhe (Institut für Programmstrukturen und Datenorganisation). aicas GmbH brings the latest software development methodologies to embedded and time critical systems.

About JamaicaVM

JamaicaVM is a Java implementation for the application in deeply embedded and time-critical systems. JamaicaVM is based on a new, realtime memory management technology (garbage collection), that enables the application of Java technology even in time- and safety-critical applications. Tools such as the Jamaica Compiler and Builder optimize the runtime performance and memory demand and permit the analysis of the realtime behaviour of Java applications.