42990
The Shuttle Avionics Integration Laboratory (SAIL) at NASA's Johnson Space Centre in Houston, Texas.
It was the only facility in the Space Shuttle Program where actual orbiter hardware and flight software can be integrated and tested in a simulated flight environment. It supported the entire Space Shuttle program to perform integrated verification tests. It also contained Firing Room Launch Equipment identical to that used at KSC. Complete ground verifications, as well as countdown and abort operations, could be tested and simulated.
The testing process is extensive and rigorous; the software on the Shuttle is often considered to be among the most bug-free of operational systems.
The laboratory contains a complete avionics mock-up of a Shuttle, designated OV-095. While only a skeleton of an orbiter, the electronics are identical in position and type to those used on the Shuttle; it is a sufficiently faithful replica that crews sometimes prefer to use it to train on, rather than the training simulators.
The facility was renovated and recreated as part of NASA's Space Centre Houston Level 9 Tour, a separate add-on to the visitor's centre admission in which tourists are given entrance to buildings normally off limits to visitors.
Information Source:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shuttle_Avionics_Integration_Labora...
42990
The Shuttle Avionics Integration Laboratory (SAIL) at NASA's Johnson Space Centre in Houston, Texas.
It was the only facility in the Space Shuttle Program where actual orbiter hardware and flight software can be integrated and tested in a simulated flight environment. It supported the entire Space Shuttle program to perform integrated verification tests. It also contained Firing Room Launch Equipment identical to that used at KSC. Complete ground verifications, as well as countdown and abort operations, could be tested and simulated.
The testing process is extensive and rigorous; the software on the Shuttle is often considered to be among the most bug-free of operational systems.
The laboratory contains a complete avionics mock-up of a Shuttle, designated OV-095. While only a skeleton of an orbiter, the electronics are identical in position and type to those used on the Shuttle; it is a sufficiently faithful replica that crews sometimes prefer to use it to train on, rather than the training simulators.
The facility was renovated and recreated as part of NASA's Space Centre Houston Level 9 Tour, a separate add-on to the visitor's centre admission in which tourists are given entrance to buildings normally off limits to visitors.
Information Source:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shuttle_Avionics_Integration_Labora...