Space Station OS v0.9.0 updates baseline to ROS 2 Jazzy and Ubuntu 24.04

Open Robotics has released Space Station OS (SSOS) version 0.9.0, a major integration milestone for the open-source platform designed to simulate and operate crewed space station subsystems. This release transitions the project to a modern development baseline utilizing Ubuntu 24.04 and ROS 2 Jazzy.

Beyond the OS update, the release introduces a new system architecture and improved developer workflows. It features a reproducible environment via Pixi and RoboStack, allowing users to run the stack without a system-wide ROS 2 installation, and provides a new Ubuntu Desktop application path for easier access to the mission-control stack.

Architectural changes and development workflow

• Core Subsystems: The new architecture introduces ssos_core for system management and subsystem registration, alongside ssos_sim for simulation control, world state management, and fault injection.
• Standardized Interfaces: The platform now implements shared ROS 2 interfaces for subsystem lifecycle management, heartbeat monitoring, telemetry, and fault handling.
• Environment Reproducibility: Integration of Pixi and RoboStack enables a locked development and runtime environment, which was validated through 144 automated tests with zero failures.
• Deployment Options: Users can now utilize a Tier-1 Ubuntu Desktop application for launching the mission-control stack via desktop shortcuts, bypassing manual ROS launch commands.
• Reference Implementation: The Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS) serves as the primary reference implementation for the new architectural framework.

Why it matters

This release lowers the barrier to entry for robotics engineers by providing a containerized-style reproducible environment that avoids system-wide dependency conflicts. It also establishes a scalable framework for integrating complex, multi-subsystem hardware simulations within the ROS 2 ecosystem.