• TTM and MetaEdit+, Modelica Integrated using Semantic Web Technologies
• Capers Jones Reports that T-VEC Method Finds More Software Defect
• The First Aircraft Institute of AVIC Chooses T-VEC for Model-Based Testing
• MetaEdit+ DSM and T-VEC integration
• T-VEC Project at Lockheed Martin Published in STSC CrossTalk
• Dr. Blackburn Presents Model-Based Tool Comparison at S5 Symposium
• Support for Arrays in TTM
• LDRA Integration Support
• T-VEC Wiki
• Vision Microsystems distributes T-VEC in China
• Fujisetstubi distributes T-VEC in Japan
• T-VEC Completes Model for Government Smart Card Interoperability Specification

• Archives

T-VEC Used to Find Mars Polar Lander Error

NASA started the Mars Polar Lander (MPL) project on February 7, 1994. On December 3, 1999 after the MPL had traveled 11 months and over 35 million miles, all contact with the craft was lost just 12 minutes from its scheduled landing on Mars. The MPL cost $165 million to develop and deploy. Could the crash have been prevented? Maybe.

In fewer that 24 hours, the T-VEC RAVE tools identified an error in the software controlling the MPL's landing procedures. This software monitored the touchdown legs of the craft and controlled the engine. It is believed this software falsely indicated the MPL had landed, while it was still 40 meters above Mar's surface. Consequently, the engine was shut down prematurely, and the craft crashed. This defect could have been identified and fixed with the RAVE tools, if the requirements for the landing features of the MPL had been modeled and tested early in the process.

See the full story in the September/October edition of STQE.