Session
Weekend Session 2: Recent Launches - Research & Academia
Location
Utah State University, Logan, UT
Abstract
TTartan Artibeus (TA1) is the first batteryless, computational pocketqube satellite; its open-source hardware and software launched into low-Earth orbit (LEO) in January 2022. TA1 is a 1p (125 cm3) pocketqube built around the Tartan Artibeus Bus (TAB), which connects independently-designed modules into a batteryless, computational satellite. In TA1, TAB incorporates an electrical power supply (EPS) module that harvests solar energy into a supercapacitor, a fault-tolerant command and data handling (C&DH) module, a radio-communication module, and a configurable computational payload module.
The open-source hardware [17] and software [18] of TA1 supports independently designed modules oblivious to the batteryless nature of the power system via adherence to TAB’s well-defined communication protocol serviced by a C&DH board. TAB allows the C&DH board to manage independent subsystems for power savings and to provide isolation for reduced impact of faults. The C&DH software supports frequent power cycles via task-based, intermittent execution. These features guarantee forward program progress and free subsystem developers to focus on each payload application.
To evaluate the computational nanosatellite design TAB enables, we integrate many subsystems, including a radio module, a GNSS module, and a computing payload. The radio, which is based on OpenLST [33] hardware and software, demonstrates the ease of using existing modules with TAB. To the best of our knowledge, TA1 is the first 1p pocketqube to have a GPS module without COCOM limits. The computing payload includes hardware to accelerate machine inference and can be reprogrammed in orbit. The TA1 mechanical, hardware, and software designs are open source to reduce the barrier to entry for orbital edge computing (OEC) research.
Tartan Artibeus: A Batteryless, Computational Satellite Research Platform
Utah State University, Logan, UT
TTartan Artibeus (TA1) is the first batteryless, computational pocketqube satellite; its open-source hardware and software launched into low-Earth orbit (LEO) in January 2022. TA1 is a 1p (125 cm3) pocketqube built around the Tartan Artibeus Bus (TAB), which connects independently-designed modules into a batteryless, computational satellite. In TA1, TAB incorporates an electrical power supply (EPS) module that harvests solar energy into a supercapacitor, a fault-tolerant command and data handling (C&DH) module, a radio-communication module, and a configurable computational payload module.
The open-source hardware [17] and software [18] of TA1 supports independently designed modules oblivious to the batteryless nature of the power system via adherence to TAB’s well-defined communication protocol serviced by a C&DH board. TAB allows the C&DH board to manage independent subsystems for power savings and to provide isolation for reduced impact of faults. The C&DH software supports frequent power cycles via task-based, intermittent execution. These features guarantee forward program progress and free subsystem developers to focus on each payload application.
To evaluate the computational nanosatellite design TAB enables, we integrate many subsystems, including a radio module, a GNSS module, and a computing payload. The radio, which is based on OpenLST [33] hardware and software, demonstrates the ease of using existing modules with TAB. To the best of our knowledge, TA1 is the first 1p pocketqube to have a GPS module without COCOM limits. The computing payload includes hardware to accelerate machine inference and can be reprogrammed in orbit. The TA1 mechanical, hardware, and software designs are open source to reduce the barrier to entry for orbital edge computing (OEC) research.
