Custom mission control software for the RADCUBE and VIREO CubeSat missions

As CubeSats grow more capable, off-the-shelf mission operation tools are falling short. This became critical for the client's RADCUBE and VIREO missions. Both used fully custom CubeSats with unique hardware and communication configurations, so no commercial product could meet the requirements for satellite operations, testing environments and ground segment integration.

The client needed fully customisable Mission Operation Centre software to manage the whole mission lifecycle on one scalable platform, from flat-sat tests through engineering and qualification models to flight units. It had also built its own ground station with UHF and S-band capabilities, so the software had to handle real-time antenna positioning, signal decoding and telemetry visualisation, all compliant with CCSDS and ECSS standards. The architecture also had to be modular, ready to expand to multiple ground stations and satellite missions.

The team led the design and development of custom Mission Operation Centre software for the client. It covered satellite control, data handling, ground station automation and mission testing environments.

The software supported multiple satellites and ground stations from day one. Core functions included telemetry downlink and decoding, telecommand generation, scheduling and real-time antenna control, so operators could run every part of a mission from one interface.

Visualisation dashboards gave clear access to operational and housekeeping data, improving situational awareness across engineering and flight teams. The system also supported validation and testing by running simulations with engineering and qualification models, so the same software carried the mission from early development to in-orbit operations.

The Mission Operation Centre software supported the full missions of both RADCUBE and VIREO. It was tested and validated across all RADCUBE models (BB, flat-sat EM, EQM and FM) and proved reliable through every development and operational phase.

Real-time telemetry monitoring, automated ground station tasks and telecommand execution reduced manual operations and operator workload.

Its scalable design lets the client add new satellite missions with little overhead, and the architecture can be adapted to commercial and academic missions.

The project showed what tailored mission operations software can do for advanced CubeSat missions, and gave the client a long-term technical foundation for future missions.