"SwRI Micropatch Algorithm Improves Ground-To-Spacecraft Software Update Efficiency"
Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) has developed an algorithm to remotely update and fix spacecraft software using less time and data than other techniques. Not only does the tool improve the overall efficiency of satellite software transmissions, but it can also recover data from unsuccessful over-the-air updates and malicious cyberattacks. It identifies missing bytes and other errors before applying a custom "micropatch" to missing or damaged software. Instead of updating an entire file or operating system, as is typically required with over-the-air satellite software updates, the tool can detect and fix smaller errors, according to Henry Haswell, a research engineer in SwRI's Intelligent Systems Division. Researchers deployed and tested the tool on the International Space Station (ISS). SwRI collaborated with Axiom Space Inc. and Amazon Web Services (AWS) to upload and assess the micropatch technology on an ISS computer operated by Axiom Space. This article continues to discuss the SwRI micropatch algorithm that improves ground-to-spacecraft software update efficiency.