Job profile 1 of 8 · Example: TTTech, Vienna
Flight software: real-time networks that carry Orion to the Moon
Flight software runs on the computers on board and must never fail under time pressure. The Vienna company TTTech supplies the TTEthernet network technology for NASA's Orion spacecraft13. In April 2026, Orion took 4 people around the Moon70.
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01 · Research
What is researched here: networks that are guaranteed to deliver on time
TTEthernet is based on standard Ethernet and adds a fixed schedule so that critical data arrives reliably13.
This lets independent systems in the spacecraft share the same network without interfering. TTTech compares the network to a central nervous system. The company has worked on Orion's avionics since 2006; NASA signed a Space Act Agreement with it in 200913.
The DLR also has its own flight software department researching real-time software that is reliable and highly resilient12.
02 · End product
The end product: the on-board network of the Orion spacecraft
In Orion, TTEthernet connects the control and life-support systems in the spacecraft and its service module13. For the European Service Module, TTTech supported Airbus with test equipment during network integration13.
Artemis II launched on 1 April 2026 and splashed down in the Pacific on 10 April 2026; the crew travelled farther from Earth than any human before70.
03 · Daily work
What the work looks like: 5 steps following the European standard
All space software in Europe follows the standard ECSS-E-ST-40C. It covers the whole way from writing down the requirements to maintenance in operation; the current revision has applied since 30 April 202511.
- Define requirements: what must the software do, how fast, under which conditions?
- Design: plan the structure of the software and its interfaces to other systems.
- Code: write the program that will later run on board.
- Verify and validate: show that the software does what it should, and nothing else.
- Hand over and maintain: support and improve the software in operation.
Steps based on the scope of the standard ECSS-E-ST-40C11.
Keywords from the sources
04 · Your path
Your way in: 4 steps
HTL, computer science
Programming, networks and electronics are already part of the HTL curriculum. A space topic for the diploma thesis is offered by the school satellite STS1, for example57.
Bachelor
For example Systems Engineering at CU Hochschule Kärnten in Villach: mechanics, electronics and software together41.
Master
During your master's, a 3 to 6-month internship at ESA is possible37.
Entry
At a company like TTTech in Vienna63 or as an ESA Graduate Trainee1.
05 · Who is hiring?
More employers for flight software
- DLR Institute of Software Technology: its own flight software department, 7 sites in Germany12.
- NASA JPL: developed the open flight software F Prime that ran the Mars helicopter10.