ASCENT - Autonomous Software Certification & Evaluation for New Technologies

To address the NASA need for certification methods for autonomous system software, STEER Tech proposes to develop a new Autonomous Software Certification & Evaluation for New Technologies (ASCENT) system, based on a prototype standard developed from existing standards and guidelines across industries. This approach incorporates concepts around safe development of autonomous system software, enabling us to meet NASA requirements for trusted autonomy in space applications. The system offers a framework to prove that a defined safety process has been followed to guarantee that the autonomous system meets the required criteria for safe operation. During Phase I, STEER Tech will compile and analyze existing industry standards which can be extended to space applications for the creation of a new prototype standard, the basis of ASCENT. Currently at TRL 2, ASCENT will reach TRL 5. The demonstrated results will offer NASA capabilities to certify autonomous system software currently non-certifiable using existing aviation standards.