Raspberry Pi Software

Alongside the Teensy 4.1 microcontroller, the Artemis CubeSat also utilizes a Raspberry Pi as its secondary on-board computer. The Raspberry Pi, a well-known and widely-used single-board computer, is leveraged for high-level command tasks and payload processing.

The Raspberry Pi employed in the Artemis CubeSat is equipped with a powerful quad-core processor and substantial RAM, which allows it to handle the intensive computations required for payload processing and high-level command execution. Furthermore, the Raspberry Pi comes with a full complement of communication interfaces, including SPI, I2C, UART, USB, and Ethernet, making it capable of interfacing with a wide range of end-user payloads.

A significant advantage of using a Raspberry Pi is its ability to run a full operating system. The RPI uses a full version of COSMOS, an open-source mission control software developed by HSFL. COSMOS provides a robust framework for command and control of embedded systems, making it an excellent choice for managing a CubeSat's operations. It allows for real-time telemetry viewing, command sending, and scripting, all of which are crucial for a successful CubeSat mission.

The Raspberry Pi's ability to run COSMOS is a testament to its capabilities as a miniature computer. With COSMOS, high-level commands can be created, executed, and monitored directly from the CubeSat. This dramatically improves the flexibility of the CubeSat's operations, as complex tasks can be defined and managed on-the-fly.

In terms of payload processing, the Raspberry Pi's robust computational capabilities come into play. Whether the payload is an imaging sensor, a scientific instrument, or a communication device, the Raspberry Pi can process the data collected by the payload, preparing it for transmission back to Earth.

Using the Raspberry Pi in conjunction with the Teensy 4.1 microcontroller is a powerful combination. While the Teensy is responsible for real-time, low-level control tasks, the Raspberry Pi handles complex, high-level tasks and payload processing. This division of labor allows each component to do what it does best, leading to efficient and reliable operation of the Artemis CubeSat.