The yearly International Space System Engineering Conference, DASIA (Data Systems In Aerospace) took place on 14, 15 and 16 May 2012 in Dubrovnik, Croatia. DASIA 2012 showed the advances on the most representative European R&D subjects for the last year concerning space onboard systems. Contributions covered software and systems engineering, communications, avionics, modeling and simulation. DASIA topics concern mainly onboard satellite systems, but occasionally extend to launchers and ground segments. The most highlighted topics this year were: - Integrated Modular Avionics, and especially Time and Space Separation Executive Platforms - The impact of new multi-core processors in onboard architectures and methodologies - The evolution of the on-going ESA-led architecture standardization activities - Model Based Development for hardware, software and integrated systems - Fault Detection, Isolation and Recovery mechanisms and methodology GTD was involved in a monographic half-day session on Integrated Modular Avionics Strategy and Building Blocks. The session presented the results of the IMA for Space Project in which GTD is currently involved. The presentations showed the current requirements, architecture, computational model, technological and operational constraints with which IMA must cope in the space mission context. GTD is co-author of the presented work, produced by a consortium led by Astrium, with other relevant space software industry actors. Two interesting keynotes were given by Mr Tortola of Eurospace and Mr Bradford of SSTL. Mr Tortola presented an analysis of the European industry and market figures compared to the global context and the different competitors, showing some insights not always well known. Mr Bradford explained how SSTL strives in providing cost-effective space systems to their customers, by using a ‘just enough’ formal approach, tending to agility, lean production and minimum ceremony processes. Such an approach is essentially risk-driven and based on a continuous trade-off between rigor and speed. He also discussed the benefits and risks of using commercial-grade components for space. The program of the conference can be found at: http://www.eurospace.org/Data/Sites/1/pdf/dasia2012/dasai2012_programme.pdf
