46 - Developing a FlatSat with CrowPi: A Ground-Based Testbed for CubeSat Subsystems
Description/Abstract/Artist Statement
This project focuses on building a FlatSat using off-the-shelf components to support the development and testing of CubeSat subsystems. FlatSats provide a low-cost, ground-based platform for simulating CubeSat behavior and allow early testing of spacecraft electronics, onboard software, and mission operations. In this work, a CrowPi kit—featuring a Raspberry Pi single-board computer and a wide range of sensors—was assembled to serve as the foundation for the FlatSat. The system was configured to demonstrate basic space-relevant scenarios such as monitoring temperature and detecting changes in ambient light. These capabilities helped model tasks that CubeSats might perform in orbit. This setup establishes a practical foundation for future experiments, including secure communications and resilience testing. In conclusion, the CrowPi, powered by a Raspberry Pi, offers a compact and accessible development environment for building and testing embedded systems—making it a strong foundation for integrating a Software-Defined Radio (SDR). The incorporation of the SDR can be used to simulate real-world cyberattack scenarios such as signal jamming, data spoofing, and unauthorized access .
Faculty Advisor/Mentor
Dimitrie Popescu
Faculty Advisor/Mentor Department
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
College Affiliation
College of Engineering & Technology (Batten)
Presentation Type
Event
Disciplines
Computer Engineering
46 - Developing a FlatSat with CrowPi: A Ground-Based Testbed for CubeSat Subsystems
This project focuses on building a FlatSat using off-the-shelf components to support the development and testing of CubeSat subsystems. FlatSats provide a low-cost, ground-based platform for simulating CubeSat behavior and allow early testing of spacecraft electronics, onboard software, and mission operations. In this work, a CrowPi kit—featuring a Raspberry Pi single-board computer and a wide range of sensors—was assembled to serve as the foundation for the FlatSat. The system was configured to demonstrate basic space-relevant scenarios such as monitoring temperature and detecting changes in ambient light. These capabilities helped model tasks that CubeSats might perform in orbit. This setup establishes a practical foundation for future experiments, including secure communications and resilience testing. In conclusion, the CrowPi, powered by a Raspberry Pi, offers a compact and accessible development environment for building and testing embedded systems—making it a strong foundation for integrating a Software-Defined Radio (SDR). The incorporation of the SDR can be used to simulate real-world cyberattack scenarios such as signal jamming, data spoofing, and unauthorized access .