ISR Participates in 2012 Ground System Architectures Workshop (GSAW)

On February 27, ISR Prof. Walt Scacchi delivered a half-day tutorial at GSAW 2012 on the topic of  “Using Open Source Software in Ground Systems.”  The tutorial addressed the state of the art in open source software development (OSSD) processes, work practices, and project community dynamics, and examined results from recent empirical studies of OSSD.  It was targeted towards software developers, system architects, project managers, program managers, and others.  The well-attended tutorial included participants from a mix of aerospace companies and government agencies.

Lively discussion ensued both during and after the tutorial, regarding such topics as: the roles open source software and OS development processes can play in support of the development of future ground systems; different open source development models, and the circumstances in which they succeed; and the kinds of benefits open source contributors achieve – including contributors from the defense arena.  According to Scacchi, “Participating in GSAW provides many benefits to ISR, including the opportunity to interact with industry and government agency colleagues, to ground our research, and to explore new collaborative research opportunities.”  Scacchi previously gave a tutorial on OSSD at GSAW in 2009, part of ISR’s lengthy tradition of GSAW participation. 

The annual Ground System Architectures Workshop is sponsored by The Aerospace Corporation – one of ISR’s long-time supporters.  GSAW has been held in cooperation with ISR since 2003.  GSAW 2012 was held February 27 – March 1 in Los Angeles.