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2026 cFS Symposium Highlights Software's Role in Space Infrastructure

3/24/2026

Summary

NASA Advocates Software Integration

The 2026 Core Flight System (cFS) Symposium highlighted software as a critical part of national space infrastructure, equal to rockets and launch pads.
More than 360 aerospace professionals attended despite severe weather.
The cFS community calls for deeper integration among commercial, defense, and international partners to improve software governance.
NASA's Core Flight System powers many missions, underscoring its status as vital infrastructure.

Summary

NASA Launches Cybersecurity Initiative

The 2026 cFS Symposium unveiled cFS Draco v7.0.0 and AerLock, NASA's first cybersecurity product for spacecraft.
AerLock emphasizes integrating cybersecurity from the outset, reflecting a shift to viewing space as a contested environment.
The cFS community is maturing into an operational platform, moving beyond government project norms and adopting semantic versioning to signal reliability.
The U.S. has a critical opportunity to lead space software standards through ongoing collaboration and stewardship.

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NASA Advocates Software Integration

The 2026 Core Flight System (cFS) Symposium highlighted software as a critical part of national space infrastructure, equal to rockets and launch pads.
More than 360 aerospace professionals attended despite severe weather.
The cFS community calls for deeper integration among commercial, defense, and international partners to improve software governance.
NASA's Core Flight System powers many missions, underscoring its status as vital infrastructure.

1 / 2