The Gaia Data Processing and Analysis Consortium (DPAC) is developing the required software to handle and
process the data collected during ESA’s Gaia astronomy mission. DPAC consist of more than 400 scientists
and engineers developing several dozens of large software packages. Such a large software development project
requires adequate progress monitoring techniques. DPAC has developed IMT as a semi automated monitoring
tool. In this paper we will describe the IMT system, the results it provides, and the experiences in view of usage
withing the DPAC management process. Also the potential usage of IMT in other large scientific projects is
discussed.
KEYWORDS: Software development, Copper, Space operations, Standards development, Seaborgium, Data processing, System on a chip, Software engineering, Distance measurement, Stars
The ESA satellite Gaia aims to measure the main astrometric parameters and generate an astrometric catalogue
of 109 objects with an accuracy on the micro-arcsec level. To reach this goal the European scientific community
has formed the Gaia Data Processing and Analysis Consortium (DPAC). DPAC includes the Science Operation
Centre (SOC) at ESAC and together they constitute the Gaia science ground segment, including a total of more
than 400 scientists and engineers. Such a large group of developers represent a massive development effort which
requires effective quality monitoring and assurance mechanisms and reporting structures to be in place. In this
paper we will outline the procedures and mechanisms setup within the consortium to assure that DPAC software
products and the necessary hardware will be ready when they are needed and fulfill their expectations. The
experiences gathered in the employed PA/QA process, which is based on the relevant ECSS standards, will be
described and will prove useful for other projects of similarly large scale.
KEYWORDS: Data processing, Algorithm development, Software development, Systems modeling, Systems engineering, Astronomy, Current controlled current source, Satellites, Copper
Gaia is Europe's future astrometry satellite which is currently under development. The data collected
by Gaia will be treated and analyzed by the "Data Processing and Analysis Consortium" (DPAC). DPAC consists of over 400 scientists in more
than 22 countries, which are currently developing the required data reduction, analysis and handling algorithms and routines. DPAC is organized
in Coordination Units (CU's) and Data Processing Centres (DPCs). Each of these entities is individually responsible for the development of
software for the processing of the different data. In 2008, the DPAC Project Office (PO) has been set-up with the task to manage the day-to-day activities of the consortium including implementation, development and operations. This paper describes the tasks DPAC faces and the role of the DPAC PO
in the Gaia framework and how it supports the DPAC entities in their effort to fulfill the Gaia promise.
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