Conjunction Evolutions: The Process of Adapting and Evolving Operational Collision Warning Software from Server to Service Oriented Architecture

摘要

In 2002, the European Space Agency developed the first generation of conjunction warning tools in order to provide alerts and warnings for operational ESA satellites. Through numerous developments since the initial delivery, this tool became a fundamental part of the operational process for all ESA spacecraft. With the advent of the European Space Surveillance precursor programme, it was seen that the original software would have to be reengineered in order to improve dynamic services to customers outside of ESA. As a result, the first phase of the space surveillance and tracking segment to provide pre-operational services adapted the original software by providing a modern web-based front-end to the core software, hence retaining the original core algorithms but improving the interaction with the end user. This process also identified various requirements to modify the core software in order to comply with the SSA mission requirements. This was performed in phase two of the pre-operational services by dramatically improving the scope and capabilities of the core software as well as providing the ability to form part of a service oriented architecture. This paper will describe and investigate the steps taken in this development journey and the lessons learnt on the way.