Functional Safety Certification for Planetary Rovers: DO-178C Explained

Date
2026-09-11
Location
Online
Host
Zach L

About this event

A Case-Study Review for Systems Engineers pursuing functional safety certification. A live 30-minute case-study review on DO-178C (Airborne Software) for planetary rovers, built for systems engineers pursuing functional safety certification. What We'll Cover: What DO-178C (Airborne Software) requires and how its scope applies to planetary rovers Mapping DO-178C clauses to the certification evidence assessors expect System-specific hazards and safety functions typical of planetary rovers Common findings that delay certification, and how to avoid them A practical readiness roadmap for systems engineers preparing for assessment Related topics: DO-178C · Planetary Rovers · functional safety certification · functional safety assessment · Case-Study Review · Systems Engineers · safety lifecycle

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About DO-178C (Airborne Software)

This event covers the compliance, engineering, and verification requirements defined by DO-178C.

DO-178C (ED-12C) is the certification basis for airborne software: objectives-driven assurance where the count and independence of satisfied objectives scale with Design Assurance Level A-E from system safety assessment.

What it regulates

Software planning, development, verification, configuration management and QA objectives; supplements formalize model-based (DO-331), OOP (DO-332), and formal methods (DO-333) usage; tool qualification via DO-330.

Who must comply

Avionics suppliers and aircraft OEMs under FAA/EASA; UAS autopilot developers as certification pathways mature.

Key requirements of DO-178C

  • DAL A-E objective sets (71 objectives at level A, with independence requirements)
  • Requirements-based testing with structural coverage: statement, decision, MC/DC per level
  • Traceability through requirements-design-code-tests
  • SOI audits (stages of involvement) with certification authorities

Key concepts: DO-178C

DAL
Design Assurance Level from ARP4761 hazard classification: catastrophic→A down to no-effect→E.
MC/DC at DAL A
The hallmark structural coverage requirement for the most critical software.
Objectives with independence
Certain verification objectives must be satisfied by persons/tools independent of the developers.
Tool qualification (DO-330)
Assurance for tools whose output is trusted without further verification.

Frequently asked questions: DO-178C

How does DO-178C differ from IEC 61508-3 in spirit?

61508 prescribes techniques per SIL; DO-178C prescribes objectives and evidence, leaving methods freer but auditing satisfaction rigorously with authority involvement staged through the project (SOIs).

Standard information based on the published text of DO-178C (Airborne Software). Event content is provided by the host. For authoritative guidance, consult the official standard body.