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CubeSat flight software development with limited access to satellite hardware
Thesis (MEng)--Stellenbosch University, 2024.
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Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
2025
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| _version_ | 1867613916637429760 |
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| access_status_str | Open Access |
| author | Slabber, Dirk Andre |
| author2 | Jordaan, H. W. |
| author_browse | Jordaan, H. W. Slabber, Dirk Andre |
| author_facet | Jordaan, H. W. Slabber, Dirk Andre |
| author_sort | Slabber, Dirk Andre |
| collection | Thesis |
| dc_rights_str_mv | Stellenbosch University |
| description |
Thesis (MEng)--Stellenbosch University, 2024. |
| format | Thesis |
| id | oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/131910 |
| institution | Stellenbosch University (South Africa) |
| last_indexed | 2026-06-10T12:43:44.982Z |
| license_str | Other — see source repository |
| provenance_str_mv | Harvested via OAI-PMH from SUNScholar — Stellenbosch University Repository |
| publishDate | 2025 |
| publishDateRange | 2025 |
| publishDateSort | 2025 |
| publisher | Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| publisherStr | Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| record_format | dspace |
| source_str | SUNScholar — Stellenbosch University Repository |
| spelling | oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/131910 CubeSat flight software development with limited access to satellite hardware Slabber, Dirk Andre Jordaan, H. W. Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Engineering. Dept. of Electrical and Electronic Engineering. Artificial satellites -- Attitude control systems Digital twins (Computer simulation) Software engineering Hardware-in-the-loop simulation UCTD Thesis (MEng)--Stellenbosch University, 2024. ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This thesis demonstrates a method of developing CubeSat flight software earlier in the satellite development timeline. Through this method, more time is permitted for testing, optimization and development of a more robust software product. CubeSats consist of embedded subsystems bought as commercial components. Developers are required to integrate these subsystems into a reliable software system. However, procurement is usually done late in the development timeline. In the modern satellite industry, where missions are developed at a rapid pace, little time is left for full system software verification and testing. The proposed solution is the utilization of digital twins to replace physical components during the early stages of development. Through simulation of components in orbit and interfacing them with flight software on an On-Board-Computer (OBC), the software is continuously tested as if the full satellite is available. Flight software is developed specifically for the DockSat mission. While the software is built upon a commercial software framework, it is tailored with additional software architecture to be inherently robust and support mission-specific subsystems. The first three stages of the mission: commissioning, beaconing and detumbling, are chosen for the scope of the thesis. Additional focus is placed on the development of those software structures which are difficult to test without access to hardware. Digital twins are developed for the D2S2 simulation program running on a desktop computer. Various interfacing methods are explored, with the final design utilizing STM development boards to act as data relays between the OBC and the desktop. Digital twins of the antenna system, radio, Electrical Power System (EPS) and Attitude Determination and Control System (ADCS) are developed using the documentation provided by their manufacturers. Testing the flight software through this method proved to be convenient and time-efficient. The results show the effects of robustness techniques applied to the flight software. It also demonstrates the feasibility and usefulness of simulated components by performing rapid and repeated testing of various orbital scenarios. Due to these results demonstrating complex and reliable satellite operation, this thesis shows that the use of this method is successful in the facilitation of robust CubeSat flight software development. AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie tesis demonstreer ’n metode om CubeSat-vlugprogrammatuur vroe¨er in die satellietontwikkelingstydlyn te ontwikkel. Deur hierdie metode word meer tyd toegelaat vir toetsing, optimeering en die ontwikkeling van ’n meer robuuste programmatuurproduk. CubeSats bestaan uit ingebedde substelsels wat as kommersi¨ele komponente gekoop word. Ontwikkelaars moet hierdie substelsels in ’n betroubare programmatuurstelsel integreer. Die aankope word egter gewoonlik laat in die ontwikkelingstydlyn gedoen. In die moderne satellietbedryf, waar missies teen ’n vinnige pas ontwikkel word, bly daar min tyd oor vir volledige stelselprogrammatuurverifikasie en -toetsing. Die oplossing is die gebruik van digitale tweelinge om fisiese komponente tydens die vroe¨e stadiums van ontwikkeling te vervang. Deur simulasie van komponente in die baan en hulle te koppel aan vlugprogrammatuur op ’n Aanboordrekenaar (OBC), word die programmatuur voortdurend getoets asof die volledige satellietstapel beskikbaar is. Vlugprogrammatuur is spesifiek vir die DockSat-missie ontwikkel. Terwyl die programmatuur op ’n kommersi¨ele programmatuurraamwerk gebou is, is dit aangepas met addisionele programmatuurargitektuur wat ontwerp is om inherent robuust te wees en missiespesifieke substelsels te ondersteun. Die eerste drie fases van die missie: inbedryfstelling, baken en ontwrigting, word vir die omvang van die tesis gekies. Addisionele fokus word geplaas op die ontwikkeling van daardie programmatuurstrukture wat moeilik is om sonder toegang tot hardeware te toets. Digitale tweelinge is ontwikkel vir die D2S2 simulasieprogram wat op ’n rekenaar loop. Verskeie koppelingsmetodes word ondersoek, met die finale ontwerp wat gebruik maak van STM-ontwikkelingsborde om as data-herleiers tussen die OBC en die rekenaar te dien. Digitale tweelinge van die antennestelsel, radio, elektriese kragstelsel en beheerstelsel is ontwikkel deur die dokumentasie wat deur hul vervaardigers voorsien is. Die toetsing van die vlugprogrammatuur deur hierdie metode is bews as gerieflik en tyd-effektief. Die resultate, toon aan die effekte van robuustheidstegnieke wat op die vlugprogrammatuur toegepas is. Dit demonstreer ook die lewensvatbaarheid en nut van gesimuleerde komponente deur vinnige en herhaalde toetsing van verskeie wentelbaan scenario’s uit te voer. As gevolg van hierdie resultate wat komplekse en betroubare satellietbedryf demonstreer, toon hierdie tesis dat die gebruik van hierdie metode suksesvol is in die fasilitering van robuuste CubeSat-vlugprogrammatuurontwikkeling. Masters 2025-04-08T12:32:41Z 2025-04-08T12:32:41Z 2024-12 Thesis https://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/131910 Stellenbosch University xiv, 106 pages : illustrations application/pdf Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| spellingShingle | Artificial satellites -- Attitude control systems Digital twins (Computer simulation) Software engineering Hardware-in-the-loop simulation UCTD Slabber, Dirk Andre CubeSat flight software development with limited access to satellite hardware |
| title | CubeSat flight software development with limited access to satellite hardware |
| title_full | CubeSat flight software development with limited access to satellite hardware |
| title_fullStr | CubeSat flight software development with limited access to satellite hardware |
| title_full_unstemmed | CubeSat flight software development with limited access to satellite hardware |
| title_short | CubeSat flight software development with limited access to satellite hardware |
| title_sort | cubesat flight software development with limited access to satellite hardware |
| topic | Artificial satellites -- Attitude control systems Digital twins (Computer simulation) Software engineering Hardware-in-the-loop simulation UCTD |
| url | https://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/131910 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT slabberdirkandre cubesatflightsoftwaredevelopmentwithlimitedaccesstosatellitehardware |