Software Reference Architecture for CubeSats – A Direct Approach

Ever since the first CubeSat mission was launched, the concept and complexity of CubeSat missions has evolved at a pace that current operational system/doctrine cannot match. In an increasingly dynamic space economy, where small businesses have become the norm, innovative solutions that abstract away complexity and increase autonomy are fundamental to reduce operational costs. It is within this frame that the current study is presented. To address the need for a standardized software architecture of NewSpace companies, we first assess the European small satellite market needs through a survey with key players in the space sector. From this survey, we derive the high-level requirements, functionalities, and interfaces of a software architecture for CubeSats, the preferred platform due to its lower cost when compared with traditional platforms. Finally, we report the implementation results of a set of these components and show how they reflect design drivers.