VSAT - Virtual Satelite
ROLES
Full Stack Developer
As the sole creator of VSAT, I designed and developed the complete system architecture, including the Spacecraft Simulator, Flight Computer, and Ground Control applications. I programmed the system in C++, implemented UDP communication between devices, developed telemetry and spacecraft state-management systems, and created fault-handling logic responsible for detecting failures and determining how the spacecraft should respond.
I also developed the graphical interfaces using Qt and QML and integrated the software with Raspberry Pi hardware to create a distributed spacecraft testbed rather than a single desktop simulation. My responsibilities included software architecture, C++ development, networking, user interface development, hardware integration, debugging, testing, and deployment.
DESCRIPTION
VSAT is a virtual satellite system designed to simulate the software architecture and communication flow of a small spacecraft mission. The system consists of three connected applications: a Spacecraft Simulator that generates simulated sensor and environmental data, a Flight Computer that processes telemetry and manages spacecraft operations, and a Ground Control station used to remotely monitor the mission. These applications communicate over UDP across separate devices, including Raspberry Pi hardware.
The Flight Computer responds to simulated spacecraft conditions such as overheating, low battery levels, communication loss, and sensor failures using fault detection, isolation, and recovery logic. Depending on spacecraft health, the system can transition between Boot, Initialization, Nominal, Degraded, and Safe operating modes, creating a practical simulation of real-world flight software behavior.
Timeline
August - September 2026
Team Size
1
Platforms
WSL / Ubuntu,
C++
Rasberry Pi
Qt/QML
Genre
Flight / Satelite Simulation
