CubeOps: development of an STM32-based on-board computer (OBC) for small satellites and CubeSat missions

Abstract

We present here an STM32 microcontroller based on-board computer designed for use in small satellites and CubeSat missions that was developed using commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) electronics components. An onboard computer (OBC) is one of the important subsystems of any CubeSat mission. An on-board computer is the central brain of a CubeSat or small satellite, responsible for coordinating and controlling various subsystems to achieve mission objectives efficiently and autonomously. It performs crucial tasks such as power management, communication, command and data handling, on-board data processing and on-board software execution. This paper discusses the development of one such OBC designed for a spectroscopic mission called Spectroscopic Investigator of Nebular Gas (SING)