Free/libre software, hardware, and ideals is building the next Space Age
Four new resources worth exploring every Friday
FOSS IN SPACE #1: Libre Space
Here are this week's four free/libre space resources that are worth exploring:
1. Many Hands Making Space for All
Libre Space Foundation is a non-profit, community-driven effort to create FOSS space technologies. Starting with SatNOGS - a global network of DIY satellite ground stations - projects include creating and deploying the world's first FOSS satellite, hack on sounding rockets, develop machine learning for satellites, and more. I especially like the idea of installing SatNOGS on a Raspberry Pi (or perhaps an old laptop?) to create your very own ground station at home!
Link: Libre Space
2. Python and machine learning for space
There is a vast range of astronomical science being performed with FOSS tools. But the sheer breadth and depth of the resources available can be daunting for a non-scientist to explore. Thomas Albin means to change that with his Space Science with Python series of video tutorials on YouTube. He shows software tools and libraries used by amateurs and professionals alike, how to calculate orbits of solar system objects, the programming behind space missions, machine learning the asteroids, and more.
Link: Astroiz
3. Of course this spacecraft runs NetBSD
NetBSD, a FOSS Unix-like operating system known for its extensive portability (running on 60+ hardware architectures), has carved a role for itself in operating spacecraft. Besides its portability and code that is freely modifiable, its lightweight design, reliability, and real-time capabilities for time-sensitive operations makes the OS a good fit for demanding space missions. Use cases include the AeroCube series of nanosatellites, BRICSat-P, ITSAT, and NASA's SAMPEX mission.
Link: Why Some Satellites Use NetBSD
4. Reuse not reinvent
Core Flight System (cFS) is a flight software framework - developed by NASA and available on GitHub - for spacecraft (and Raspberry Pi!) that runs on Linux and a few Real Time Operating Systems (RTOS). Its programmed in C with a core set of services for spacecraft such as process management, communications, logging, and provisions to write and host your own applications. Its primary goal is to enable portability across embedded computing platforms and be suitable for reuse in a wide range of (40+ and counting) space missions.
Link: core Flight System
This year I want to dive deeper into learning to code (for space!), starting with Python. One resource I've started using is a free online course offered by the University of Helsinki: Python Programming MOOC 2025. I've progressed about a quarter of the way through the material and find it useful. Its organized around a series of exercises that allow you to immediately practice newly acquired skills.
Quote of the Week: "Once a photograph of the Earth, taken from outside, is available.... a new idea as powerful as any in history will be let loose."
— Fred Hoyle, 1948
Until next week....Onward!
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