Abstract: Spacecraft test language is a formal system for describing spacecraft automatic testing and a set of standards for spacecraft testing work modes. For the new requirements of multi-spacecraft batch network testing, a study of the test language standard system is important to improve spacecraft automatic testing and guarantee the security of testing processes. This article surveyed and compared current spacecraft test languages comprehensively, summarized their basic characteristics, and proposed the objectives and directions of the development of a test language for China which is associated with network computing technology. To compensate for the lack of the domestic spacecraft test language researches and explore the design of a spacecraft test language appropriate for China, a spacecraft test language CATOL (China Aerospace Test and Operation Language) is provided. This research will improve the specification of spacecraft testing work in China and the efficiency of spacecraft testers, and promote the development in spacecraft automatic testing.

Key words: spacecraft, automatic testing, spacecraft test language, standard system, test security