SUCHAI-4 Nanosatellite Mission

Tue, 07 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Overview

SUCHAI-4 is a 3U CubeSat nanosatellite (30 × 10 × 10 cm) developed under an inter-institutional collaboration led by the Space and Planetary Exploration Laboratory (SPEL) at Universidad de Chile, with key software, cybersecurity, and ground system engineering developed by researchers and students from the Department of Computer Engineering (DIINF) at Universidad de Santiago de Chile (USACH) / SCY-FI Lab.

Launched successfully on July 7, 2026, SUCHAI-4 acts as a multipurpose orbital laboratory hosting nearly 60 experiments in space physics, biology (extremophiles), Earth observation, and optics.

DIINF & USACH Contributions

The project was led by SPEL, with the collaboration of academic researchers and undergraduate/graduate students from DIINF / SCY-FI Lab (USACH), who developed key onboard software components, ground control interfaces, and security modules:

Status variables synchronization across OBC: Developed an algorithm to synchronize the status variables between the many OBCs of the CubeSat (Josué Quileñan). Thesis:
Software in the Loop Testing interface: Developed an SIL testing interface for the SUCHAI-FS to interact with space and operational simulators (such as HoneySat) to help testing and validating the SUCHAI-4 Flight Software and the control algorithms early (Felipe Solís). Thesis:
Automatic Flight Operation & Scripting: Developed automated “recipe” execution systems capable of running complex sequential command pipelines autonomously during short orbital communication windows (Lucas Mesías).
Ground Control Interface: Built an intuitive graphical control interface for the SUCHAI Flight Software (SFS), simplifying telecommand transmission and real-time satellite telemetry monitoring (Josué Mateluna).
Low-Cost Educational Groundstations: Developed budget-friendly receiver kits for high schools, enabling students nationwide to receive live telemetry from SUCHAI-4 (Claudia Villa).

People Involved & Collaborators

USACH / DIINF Team:
- Carlos Gonzalez-Cortes (Academic Lead)
- Lucas Mesías
- Claudia Villa
- Josué Mateluna
- Josué Quileñan
- Felipe Solís
Collaborating Institutions:
- SPEL (Space and Planetary Exploration Laboratory - Universidad de Chile, Project Lead)
- SCY-FI Lab (Department of Computer Engineering - DIINF, Universidad de Santiago de Chile, USACH)
- Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso
- Universidad de Antofagasta
- Universidad Austral de Chile
- Funding by ANID (Fondef, Fondecyt, Anillo)

Links & Resources

👩‍💻 SUCHAI-4 Onboard Flight Software Repository:
🛠️ SUCHAI-4 Telemetry Decoding Tutorial:
🏛️ USACH News Press Release:
🏛️ DIINF USACH Press Release:
🏛️ Universidad de Chile Press Release:

SUCHAI Flight Software v2

Sat, 15 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Overview

SUCHAI Flight Software v2 (SUCHAI FS v2) is a highly extensible, modular flight software framework developed for CubeSat nanosatellites and embedded space applications. Evolved from flight-proven software deployed on SUCHAI-1 (2017), SUCHAI-2 (2022), SUCHAI-3 (2022), PlantSat (2022), and SUCHAI-4 (2026). This framework enables rapid development of space missions with heterogeneous teams and multiple payload configurations.

Key Architecture & Technical Features

Command Processor Design Pattern: Decouples command handlers from core dispatchers, allowing developers to register new telecommands and internal routines without modifying core system logic.
Multi-OS Layer Support: Native abstraction layers supporting FreeRTOS for embedded microcontrollers (AVR32, ESP32) and GNU/Linux for embedded single-board computers (Raspberry Pi).
Communication Stack: Integrated with LibCSP (CubedOS Space Protocol) using CAN-bus and ZMQ interfaces for inter-subsystem and ground-station communication.
Flight Inheritance: Inherits field validation from 4 operational nanosatellites in Low Earth Orbit (LEO).

People Involved & Collaborators

Maintainers:
- Carlos Gonzalez-Cortes
Collaborating Institutions:
- SCY-FI Lab (Computer Engineering Department, Universidad de Santiago de Chile, USACH) and
- SPEL (Electrical Engineering Department, Universidad de Chile) and

Links & Resources

👩‍💻 Code Repository:
🛠️ Tutorial:
📄 Publication:

Flight Software |

SUCHAI-4 Nanosatellite Mission

Overview

DIINF & USACH Contributions

People Involved & Collaborators

Links & Resources

SUCHAI Flight Software v2

Overview

Key Architecture & Technical Features

People Involved & Collaborators

Links & Resources