Session
Poster Session 1
Location
Salt Palace Convention Center, Salt Lake City, UT
Abstract
Code reuse is a fundamental principle in software engineering, streamlining development processes and reducing costs. In the context of CubeSat development, open-source software frameworks, such as the Open-Source BIRDS CubeSat (OSBC) software, have the potential to enhance collaboration and accelerate mission deployment. However, the ex- tent to which CubeSat teams adopt and adapt these existing software solutions remains underexplored.
This study examines six CubeSat missions derived from the BIRDS satellite bus, assessing their software development strategies and the degree of code reuse from OSBC. By analyzing project documentation, source code repositories, and developer interviews, we investigate key factors influencing software reuse, including performance considerations, organizational constraints, and developer motivations. Our findings will provide insights into how open-source software impacts small satellite development efficiency and sustainability, highlighting best practices and barriers to adoption.
This research contributes to the broader discussion on knowledge reuse in space systems engineering and offers recommendations for fostering more effective software-sharing practices in future CubeSat missions.
Document Type
Event
Code Reuse in CubeSat Projects: Analyzing the Adoption of Open-Source Software From the BIRDS Program
Salt Palace Convention Center, Salt Lake City, UT
Code reuse is a fundamental principle in software engineering, streamlining development processes and reducing costs. In the context of CubeSat development, open-source software frameworks, such as the Open-Source BIRDS CubeSat (OSBC) software, have the potential to enhance collaboration and accelerate mission deployment. However, the ex- tent to which CubeSat teams adopt and adapt these existing software solutions remains underexplored.
This study examines six CubeSat missions derived from the BIRDS satellite bus, assessing their software development strategies and the degree of code reuse from OSBC. By analyzing project documentation, source code repositories, and developer interviews, we investigate key factors influencing software reuse, including performance considerations, organizational constraints, and developer motivations. Our findings will provide insights into how open-source software impacts small satellite development efficiency and sustainability, highlighting best practices and barriers to adoption.
This research contributes to the broader discussion on knowledge reuse in space systems engineering and offers recommendations for fostering more effective software-sharing practices in future CubeSat missions.
