KOSMOS (for Kit for Onboard Software in Modular Oriented Systems) is a generic software infrastructure (meaning generic Flight Software) that avoids reinventing the wheel for each new project.

Key dates

• 2007: Space laboratories encounter difficulties in producing flight software for several missions; initial R&D activities focus on a standardization solution.
• 2009: Emergence of LVCUGEN and preparation of its space-based version.
• 2019: First mission - Platform Flight Software on the Eyesat/Angels nanosatellites.
• 2022: Mass Storage Equipment Flight Software on the SWOT satellite.
• 2023: First interplanetary exploration mission carrying KOSMOS (JUICE).
• 2024: First Universe observation mission carrying KOSMOS (SVOM Payload Software).
• 2026: First rover mission carrying KOSMOS (IDEFIX).

KOSMOS in brief

Operating a satellite means ensuring a multitude of functions coexist harmoniously to successfully complete a mission. From solar panels to payload instruments (cameras, spectrometers, etc.), from communications antennas to onboard computing, the diversity and complexity of technologies that can be embedded on board continues to grow.

At the heart of this environment, the processor(s) constitute(s) the "brain" of the satellite, connecting various mechanical and electronic components and housing the spacecraft’s intelligence: the Flight Software, the conductor of our spacecraft.

One Flight software has multiple objectives.

• Some are mission-specific: complex scientific algorithms for detecting astronomical phenomena, the ability to move a rover across a planet's surface, for example;
• Others, however, are recurrent regardless of the mission: ensuring communication with the Earth and various equipment, detecting potential anomalies, etc.

All of this must be orchestrated while respecting often strict real-time constraints and demanding quality standards, guaranteeing the criticality level required by the mission.

• To achieve this: KOSMOS integrates and standardizes the essential functions required by Flight Software (interface management, memory management, anomaly management, and communication link management between the satellite and ground), eliminating the need to start from scratch when preparing a new mission.
• KOSMOS provides pre-qualified components (European ECSS Level B standards), guaranteeing a level of quality compatible with demanding missions.
• Thanks to its partitioned architecture, KOSMOS allows users (scientists, industry professionals, and institutional stakeholders) to focus on the added value of the space mission.
• Thanks to its modularity, KOSMOS enables parallel development between multiple vendors before easily integrating them into a complete and coherent Flight Software, like Lego© bricks.

KOSMOS is already widely adopted in the space ecosystem, both industrial (USpace, Hemeria, etc.), scientific (IJClab, CEA, LATMOS, etc.), academic (Nanolab Academy) and institutional (CNES, ESA, etc.). It has been flying since 2019 (Eyesat) on missions of all kinds, from nanosatellites (e.g. KINEIS) to large institutional satellites (e.g. JUICE, SVOM, etc.) and rovers (e.g. IDEFIX) for platform applications, payloads or specialized equipment.

CNES's role in the project

In response to the needs of the ecosystem, with space laboratories at the forefront, CNES launched research and development activities in 2007, leading to the emergence of the KOSMOS solution (initially called LVCUGEN). The goal: to alleviate the software development burden on scientists so they can focus on the added value of their missions.

In partnership with the Spanish company FentISS, CNES designs, develops, and tests KOSMOS from the theoretical concept to the first real-world deployments on satellites.

Today, CNES continues to produce new features, support space projects using KOSMOS, and foster a growing community of users, with the aim of providing this solution to anyone who needs it.

CNES contacts

By email: l-kosmos@cnes.fr