Code Complexity In Aerospace

Its fun to see how big code sets have gotten. Its reported that the F35 Fighter has more than 20 million lines of code and typical mid-range automobile today has as much as 100 million lines of code. But, looking back, much smaller code sets were able to operate some of the most successful space science missions of the last 40 years.

While lines of code is a poor metric for complexity, the graph below does illustrate that a lot of capability can be achieved using relatively little software. It also confirms that small teams should be able to achieve a lot in the new space economy.

References:
The graph is from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/257719826_The_Evolution_of_Software_and_Its_Impact_on_Complex_System_Design_in_Robotic_Spacecraft_Embedded_Systems