TacSat-1

TacSat-1 (2004 - never launched)

 * by U.S. Naval Research Laboratory
 * Service dates: Developed in 2004, never launched
 * https://www.linuxjournal.com/article/7767
 * Ethernet TCP/IP used for satellite bus communication
 * Several Linux-based boards for different components
 * HSI (High-speed interface) running Linux 2.4 on PowerPC MPC823
 * Copperfield-2 Card - Linux 2.4 runnong on PowerPC PowerQuicc II 8260
 * Distribution based on DENX ELDK
 * RF Front-end-controller - Linux 2.4 custom distribution on StrongARM SA1110
 * COTS (for processors, and some not boards)
 * Custom board similar to Motorola reference design: MPC8620ADS-PCI
 * No real-time requirements
 * customized Linux kernel
 * 3 devices drivers:
 * one to support the sensor data format
 * one to interface with the Xilinx CompactFlash interface use to load software on FPGAs
 * one for the PowerPC 823 HSI interface box communication with the FPGA
 * lots of payload software was bash scripts
 * they liked the Unix-way (stdin/stdout, quick linkages)
 * they mention busybox ASH as being capable
 * custom command-line applications, written in the Unix style
 * SmallSat conference 2004 article:
 * session: https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/smallsat/2004/All2004/2/
 * paper: https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1677&context=smallsat

Was worked on by the PTR Group (and by Mike Anderson)!

Note: There were TACSAT-2, 3 and 4, followed by something called ORS, which may have used the same flight software?
 * see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TacSat-4