Re: Ariane 5 - not an exception?

[Steve O'Neill <smoneill@sanders.lockheed.com>]

Frank Manning wrote:
> In other words, there are few engineers with more than one new vehicle
> design under their belts, much less with vehicles having such
> unprecedented automation requirements.

This a new perspective on the problem, and a serious situation indeed.

> So how do you prevent another Ariane 5 problem? You really need people
> who understand both aerospace engineering (another somewhat nebulous
> term) and software engineering. Merely using ++robin's PL/I magic
> bullet won't do it.
> 
> Like Steve says, you can't fault developers who implement the
> requirements they're given, especially if the developers have no
> specialized training in aerospace engineering. The converse is also
> true -- what do you do about aero engineers (or mechanical/electrical/
> etc.) who have little training in -- forgive me -- software
> engineering? How do you bridge the gulf?

Easy, hire me, I've got a BS in Aero and about 15 years experience in the 
analysis and development of related real-time systems.

Sorry, I couldn't resist. ;)

But the fact remains that cross-training is critical for (especially) the 
system engineers and system designers of such complex systems.  Had 
someone with a 'big-picture' view of the Ariane system really spent the 
time to understand the implications of shutting down a critical sensor 
perhaps this tragic event would have been avoided.

-- 
Steve O'Neill                      | "No,no,no, don't tug on that!
Sanders, A Lockheed Martin Company |  You never know what it might
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(603) 885-8774  fax: (603) 885-4071|    Buckaroo Banzai