AI-Driven DevSecOps: How Intuitive Machines Leveraged GitLab for Historic Moon Landing
In the rapidly evolving landscape of space exploration, Intuitive Machines has carved out a significant niche, culminating in a historic achievement: the first U.S. commercial lunar landing in 50 years. Armed with a $77 million contract from NASA, the company undertook the monumental task of building and launching a spacecraft, Odysseus, aimed at landing near the Moon’s south pole. The efforts of this Houston-based firm were supported by GitLab’s robust DevSecOps platform, which proved instrumental in their success.
The Genesis of a Lunar Mission
Founded in 2013, Intuitive Machines began as a think tank and quickly transformed into a key player in space infrastructure and services. The company’s commitment to lunar exploration was put to the test when they won the NASA contract in 2019, giving them just five years to develop the software necessary for communication, navigation, and control of their spacecraft. Recognizing the need for a comprehensive and efficient toolchain, the team adopted GitLab long before receiving official confirmation of their contract.
Building a Collaborative Framework
James Blakeslee, the software lead at Intuitive Machines, emphasized the importance of having a single platform for their development team of 40 to 50 members. “We needed a solution that would allow us to collaborate and maintain visibility across all projects,” he stated. GitLab provided the necessary features, enabling the team to work seamlessly on various tasks while maintaining a cohesive workflow.
The Challenge of Development
Intuitive Machines faced the daunting task of constructing the software for Odysseus from the ground up, integrating systems for ground control, navigation, and landing functionalities. “Testing was crucial—we simulated scenarios thousands of times,” Blakeslee explained. The team relied heavily on GitLab to ensure that their software was rigorously validated before the mission.
Successful Launch and Immediate Challenges
Odysseus successfully launched on February 15, 2024, carrying scientific payloads but no crew. Following a week in space, it landed on the Moon, joining an elite group of nations that have achieved this milestone. However, the journey didn’t end there; the team had to address issues that arose during the flight.
Real-Time Problem Solving
As with any experimental flight, challenges and unexpected issues were inevitable. Blakeslee noted that “Easter eggs” emerged despite extensive pre-launch testing, requiring the team to implement software patches on the fly. The tight deadlines and high stakes made it imperative to efficiently deploy fixes using GitLab’s continuous integration (CI) pipelines, which enabled rapid quality assurance and regression testing.
Ensuring Mission Success
The CI pipelines significantly reduced execution times, allowing the team to vet software patches quickly and effectively. This capability became especially critical when the spacecraft landed at an unexpected angle, complicating communication with the ground control team. The developers worked diligently to restore communication systems, successfully sending vital patches to the spacecraft from a quarter of a million miles away.
Looking Forward: New Missions on the Horizon
After completing its lunar mission, Intuitive Machines is gearing up for a second lunar lander launch in late 2024. Blakeslee indicated that the company would build on its previous success by using the same development processes and tools. “We plan to stick with what works,” he affirmed, as they also prepare to develop a lunar terrain vehicle for NASA’s Artemis missions.
Embracing the Future with AI
Once the next lunar lander is operational, the DevSecOps teams will refine their use of GitLab, exploring features like GitLab Duo to enhance code development and security. Blakeslee sees the integration of artificial intelligence as a game-changer, saying, “AI is an accelerant for development. It’s crucial to stay competitive.”
A Milestone in Space Exploration
The successful landing of Odysseus marked a significant milestone in U.S. space exploration, demonstrating the effectiveness of a well-integrated DevSecOps approach. Blakeslee believes that without GitLab, the mission would have likely faced significant delays and setbacks, underscoring its importance in their journey to the Moon.
As Intuitive Machines continues its ambitious projects, the lessons learned from their lunar endeavors will undoubtedly influence future missions, solidifying their role in the next era of space exploration.
