SUCHAI-4 Nanosatellite Mission
A 3U CubeSat space mission hosting ~60 orbital experiments, with USACH (DIINF / SCY-FI Lab) leading computer systems, autonomous flight plan operation, telemetry security, and …
Research areas
Software solutions for the future of critical space and cyber-physical systems
Active
Flight Software
Real-time flight software, embedded software engineering, and intelligent systems for space missions. We design dependable, fault-tolerant software architectures for mission-critical applications, researching AI-driven methodologies to optimize the development, deployment, and lifecycle maintenance of complex cyber-physical systems.
flight software
software engineering
intelligent systems
Active
Cybersecurity
Space system cybersecurity for the New Space era. We investigate novel threat-mitigation frameworks and verification methods to defend space assets, onboard flight software, and cyber-physical infrastructure against hostile cyber threats.
threat analysis
secure software
secure protocols
Active
Distributed Space Systems
Scalable software architectures and autonomous management for satellite constellations and swarms. We research distributed orchestration, edge computing, and autonomous protocols to enable resilient operation across the space cloud, satellite mega-constellations, and interplanetary communication networks.
mega constellations
autonomous operations
space cloud
Featured Projects
DIY Nano-Groundstation for STEM Education
Low-cost, open-source satellite groundstation project bringing space data reception and satellite tracking into high school classrooms to strengthen STEM education.
HoneySat: Network-based Satellite Honeypot Framework
The first high-interaction satellite honeypot framework capable of convincingly simulating real-world CubeSats to collect threat intelligence.
SUCHAI Flight Software v2
A modular, extensible and portable flight software framework based on the command-processor design pattern for CubeSat nanosatellites and payloads.
Recent News
Ñuble Ciencia Viva Brings Space Technology to San Nicolás High School Students
Prof. Carlos González and student Claudia Villa presented the SUCHAI program and the portable ground station project at Ñuble Ciencia Viva 2026, a science fair held in San Nicolás, …
DIINF Space: Students Help Put SUCHAI-4 Nanosatellite into Orbit with Critical Flight Software
Following the launch of SUCHAI-4 aboard SpaceX, USACH students developed the critical flight software operating the satellite autonomously in orbit.
SUCHAI-4 is Now in Orbit! A Milestone for Chilean Space Research
SPEL Universidad de Chile celebrates the successful deployment of SUCHAI-4 into orbit aboard a SpaceX rocket, marking a landmark achievement for Chilean space science.
USACH Students Behind the Flight Software that Took SUCHAI-4 to Orbit
Computer Engineering students and faculty at USACH developed the onboard software and ground systems for SUCHAI-4, successfully launched into orbit on July 7, 2026.
Interview: SCY-FI Lab Lead Discusses SUCHAI-4 Nanosatellite Launch and Mission
Prof. Carlos González-Cortés discusses the launch of the SUCHAI-4 nanosatellite, carrying USACH flight software and over 60 scientific experiments into orbit.
Carlos González Cortés Discusses Nanosatellites and Aerospace AI at IIMCh Space Resources Commission
Carlos González Cortés joined a working session of the IIMCh Space Resources Commission covering nanosatellite exploration, flight software, megaconstellations, and AI in aerospace …
Seminar on Nanosatellite Development and Space Exploration at Universidad de Chile
Dr. Carlos González-Cortés invited to speak at DIE Universidad de Chile on CubeSat technologies, nanosatellite engineering, satellite communications, and flight software.
Invited Talk on Space Exploration with Nanosatellites at New Mexico State University
Dr. Carlos González-Cortés visited New Mexico State University to deliver an invited talk on Space Exploration with Nanosatellites, sharing experiences from SPEL and DLR.
Sin Manual: USACH Faculty of Engineering Hosts Innovation and Entrepreneurship Exchange
The USACH Faculty of Engineering held 'Sin Manual', a day organized by its Innovation Center where students, academics, and graduates shared real innovation and entrepreneurship …
Meet the team
Principal Investigators
Dr. Carlos Gonzalez-Cortes
Principal Investigator
DIINF-USACH
Professor in the Computer Engineering Department at the University of Santiago of Chile (USACH). He holds a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Chile and has extensive experience in embedded systems, nanosatellites, and flight software. Previously, he developed the SUCHAI family and PlantSat nanosatellites at SPEL, and worked at the Flight Software Department of the German Aerospace Center (DLR). Carlos is passionate about pushing the boundaries of distributed space systems and satellite flight software architectures.
Satellites / CubeSats / Constellations
Flight Software
Embedded Systems
Publications
Journal Articles
Conference Papers
(2026).
HoneySat: A Network-Based Satellite Honeypot Framework.
Network and Distributed System Security (NDSS) Symposium.
(2023).
The First Chilean Satellite Swarm: Approach and Lessons Learned.
AIAA/USU Conference on Small Satellites, Year in Review - Research & Academia, SSC23-WVII-07.
(2021).
Nanosatellite Constellation Control Framework Using Evolutionary Contact Plan Design.
2021 IEEE 8th International Conference on Space Mission Challenges for Information Technology.
Theses & Dissertations
(2026).
Una interfaz estandarizada de simulación Software-in-the-loop para software de vuelo CubeSat.
Contact us
Where we are
Departamento de Ingeniería Informática (DIINF)
Universidad de Santiago de Chile (USACH)
Av. Víctor Jara 3659 (ex Av. Ecuador), Estación Central
Santiago, RM, Chile