FossaSat-1

Set to launch in Q3 of 2019, FossaSat-1 will be Spain’s first picoatellite. FossaSat-1 is the next advancement in picosatellite technology, sized at only 5x5x5cm and weighing only 250g, it will be one of the smallest satellites ever launched into space.

This new pocketqube form factor allowed by the recent development in smartphone electronics will create a new satellite market never seen before, where satellites such as FossaSat-1 are being developed and launched into orbit for under EUR 30000, truly democratizing access to space for individuals, educational institutes and companies worldwide.

FossaSat-1 will provide free and open source IoT communications for the globe using inexpensive LoRa modules, where students will be able to communicate with a satellite for under EUR 20. This new radio system has never been flown into space before and offers drastic improvements compared to current technology regarding cost and complexity. Additionally, this satellite will create a completely new environment dedicated to the testing of the student code.An Atmega Arduino powered pocketqube satellite focused on education and research, simplicity is a main focus. Anyone will be able to hear this satellite and communicate with it using cheap lora modules. The craft will transmit a LoRa RTTY signal which can be heard using simple and cheap hardware. It will be the first 1P satellite to have deployable solar cells and a LoRa transmitter. More specific info on each system can be read in each section.

Contributing

Any ideas & contributions are deeply apreciatted, we are currently looking for Software Developers, Telecomunications Engineers & Electrical Engineers.

Software

This plans to be in space, where it cannot be maintained. For that reason, the number one priority is reliable software. To help with this, keep the following in mind:

Use OTBS

This project uses OTBS style (K&R style but with braces whenever possible). This helps ensure code clarity and avoid mistakes that come from ambiguity.

Use The JPL Institutional Coding Standard

The JPL created a coding standard with IEEE and NASA that you can read here. This standard makes sure that any code being produced will be as robust as possible. Please don't be intimidated by it, just keep the Power of Ten in mind and we'll ask you to correct a merge request if necessary.

Hardware

Please use KiCad or a file format that can be interpreted by KiCad. This makes sure that anyone can access and modify the hardware in this project without needing access to proprietary software. Easy EDA may also be used due to its online availability.

Contact

You can contact us via https://fossa.systems/contact/