VYOMSAT

Open-Source CubeSat Education

Democratizing
Space Engineering
Education

VyomSat - Vyom / व्योम (sky/space) + Sat / सत् (truth/satellite) - a high-fidelity, open-source PocketQube/CubeSat learning kit built on the Raspberry Pi RP2350. From power systems to attitude control, learn real satellite engineering & STEM for under $200.

Get Started Explore Subsystems
6
Progressive Steps
<$200
Total Cost
100%
Open Source
MIT
Licensed

About VyomSat

The Essence of Space,
Built by You

VyomSat - Vyom / व्योम (sky/space) + Sat / सत् (truth/satellite) - is a comprehensive educational CubeSat kit that bridges the gap between classroom STEM and real satellite engineering.

While the barriers to launching hardware have dropped in the NewSpace era, the barrier to engineering literacy is widening. Most educational kits today are "Black Boxes" - students plug modules together without understanding the underlying systems.
Glass Box Philosophy

Every subsystem is transparent and fully explorable

Under $200

Off-the-shelf components, globally accessible

Open Source

MIT Licensed, community-driven development

Model-Based Learning

MBSE-driven progressive curriculum

Pedagogical Framework

Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE)

VyomSat's curriculum is grounded in MBSE principles - the same methodology used by NASA, ESA, and commercial aerospace to design real missions. Students learn to think in systems, not just components.

Systems Thinking
Subsystem interdependencies, bus architecture, and failure analysis
Progressive Complexity
Isolated subsystem mastery before full satellite integration
Requirements Tracing
Mission requirements mapped to hardware and software design choices
V-Model Validation
Test at each level - from unit sensor tests to integrated flight sim
Satellite

Progressive Learning Steps

Six Subsystems, One Satellite.

Each step introduces a new subsystem while integrating with previous components, building toward a fully functional satellite prototype.

STEP 0

EPS + COM

Power system with battery monitoring, OLED telemetry display, and XBee wireless communication. Implements three-state power logic: Transmit, Science, and Safe mode.

LiPo Battery XBee OLED

STEP 1

ADCS - Attitude Determination

9-axis IMU integration using the MPU9250. Sensor fusion algorithms compute stable Eulerian angles - Pitch, Roll, and Heading - from accelerometer, gyroscope, and magnetometer data.

MPU9250 I2C Sensor Fusion

STEP 2

GPS Navigation

NEO-6M GPS module for position, altitude, velocity, and satellite diagnostics. NMEA sentence parsing with real-time coordinate tracking and ground station integration.

NEO-6M UART NMEA

STEP 3

Camera Payload

ArduCam Mega 3MP integration for Earth observation payloads. SPI-based image capture with configurable resolution and on-board image processing capabilities.

ArduCam 3MP SPI

STEP 4

SD Card Storage

Multi-sensor housekeeping data logging to a FAT32 micro SD card. Implements structured file management for telemetry archival, mission logs, and sensor data.

MicroSD FAT32 SPI

STEP 5

Photo Transfer

Automated image transfer from camera to SD and ground station. Storage optimization with data synchronization across subsystems and reliable downlink protocols.

Downlink Automation
CPU Architecture

Systems Architecture

Dual-Core Command Architecture

The RP2350 dual-core processor enables true separation of concerns - flight-critical operations on Core 0, mission and payload tasks on Core 1.

Core 0 - Flight Critical
Deterministic, real-time operations
  • EPS voltage monitoring & state management
  • ADCS sensor polling & orientation computation
  • Communication uplink/downlink management
  • Interrupt-driven ground station commands
Core 1 - Mission / Payload
Non-blocking payload operations
  • Camera capture & image processing
  • GPS coordinate acquisition & parsing
  • SD card data logging & storage management
  • Photo transfer & downlink scheduling

Communication Bus Architecture

EPS
ADC
RP2350
Dual Core
XBee
UART
Ground
Station

Learning Philosophy

The "Glass Box" Model

Unlike traditional "Black Box" kits where students plug and play without understanding, VyomSat reveals the internal workings of every subsystem - from raw sensor data filtering to autonomous power state transitions.

Combined with Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE), students don't just build hardware - they learn the systems thinking behind real satellite missions.

Black Box
Plug modules → get output
No understanding
Glass Box
Build → understand → innovate
Deep mastery
Learning Outcomes
CubeSat subsystem design
Embedded MicroPython
Sensor fusion & ADCS
Systems engineering
Data logging & ops
Protocol implementation
CPU

The Brain

Microprocessor & Firmware

A powerhouse brain paired with the most accessible programming language - high performance meets radical simplicity.

Raspberry Pi
Raspberry Pi RP2350
Hardware Foundation

The silicon powering the Pico 2 - chosen for its balance between raw performance and extreme accessibility. The Raspberry Pi ecosystem is the largest in the world for makers and students, giving VyomSat access to a massive community of support and documentation.

Massive Ecosystem
Leveraging the global Raspberry Pi community and documentation
Dual-Core Power
Deterministic timing for complex C&DH and ADCS tasks
High Performance / Low Cost
Consistent GPS locks and high-frequency sensor logging - all for less than a cup of coffee. Flight-ready research simulation at DIY prices.
MicroPython
MicroPython
The Firmware Language

MicroPython has become the lingua franca of high school computer science - the perfect tool for a novice to pick up and start controlling a satellite without the steep learning curve of traditional C++. But don’t let the simplicity fool you.

The Python Advantage
Satellite firmware accessible to high schoolers and novices
No C++ Required
Skip the steep learning curve without sacrificing capability
Rapid Prototyping
Interactive REPL, instant feedback loops, and protocol libraries (I2C, SPI, UART, ADC) that map directly to real satellite buses.

Technical Specifications

Hardware Components

Component Specification
MCU Raspberry Pi Pico 2 (RP2350) - Dual ARM Cortex-M33
IMU MPU9250 -9-Axis (Accel + Gyro + Mag)
GPS NEO-6M - NMEA parsing, position & altitude
Camera ArduCam Mega -3MP SPI Camera
Display SSD1306 -128x64 OLED (I2C)
Radio XBee Module - Wireless telemetry (UART)
Storage MicroSD - FAT32 data logging (SPI)
Power 3.7V LiPo + Solar - Dual rail 3.3V/5V

Accessibility

Built for Everyone

Total Component Cost

$80 -$150

USD, off-the-shelf components

Target Audience
  • STEM enthusiasts
  • High school students
  • DIY hobbyists
  • Space enthusiasts
Prerequisites
  • Basic breadboarding
  • Raspberry Pi Pico familiarity
  • MicroPython basics
  • Science curiosity
Available from
Adafruit & SparkFun
Ships to
Worldwide
PCB Board

The “Launch Sequence” Roadmap

From Breadboard to Orbit

Our development is structured into four distinct stages that reflect increasing levels of Space Readiness.

Stage 1

Complete & Published
VyomSAT Alpha

Breadboard Prototype

Logic & System Integration - acting as the “brain” without the “body” to understand interactions between the EPS, ADCS, and MCU.

2

Stage 2 - Current

In Development
VyomSAT Stratos

3D PCB Prototype

Form Factor & Durability - transitioning to DIP components and PCBs for local field testing using XBee for local range.

3

Stage 3

Future Vision
VyomSAT Orbital

LEO / Balloon Edition

Long-Range & Space Readiness - replacing XBee with LoRa for 50 km+ range; incorporating radiation-hardened components for LEO.

4

Stage 4

Future
Community Missions

Global Student-Led Launches

Enable student-led missions worldwide. Schools and maker spaces launch their own VyomSat variants - the next generation leads the missions of the 2030s.

Team

The People Behind VyomSat

Our Team

A passionate group of engineers, educators, and space enthusiasts working to make satellite engineering education accessible worldwide.

Ojas Jha

Founder & Lead Developer

Ojas Jha

Year 11 Student • The Arbor School, Dubai

Youngest participant at the international CubeSat project in Japan. Winner of Discover Coding and Dyson Engineering competitions. Created VyomSat to bridge the gap between educational STEM kits and real satellite engineering.

LinkedIn

Open Position

Hardware Engineer

PCB design & flight systems

Help transition VyomSat from breadboard prototypes to custom PCB designs ready for PocketQube flight qualification.

Apply

Open Position

Curriculum Developer

Education & documentation

Create structured lesson plans, video tutorials, and assessment frameworks to bring VyomSat into classrooms worldwide.

Apply
Join the Team
Advisory Board

Advisory Board

Board of Advisors

Guiding VyomSat's technical direction, educational mission, and path toward flight-readiness.

Shohei Aoki

Advisor - Aerospace

Dr. Shohei Aoki

Adjunct Assoc. Professor, JKUAT
Founder, Nakuja Rocket Project

Ph.D. in Aeronautics & Astronautics from the University of Tokyo. Leads the Nakuja rocketry program in Kenya - building Africa's path to orbital launch capability. JICA long-term expert in aerospace education.

LinkedIn
Phanish Chandra

Advisor - Technology & Innovation

Phanish Chandra

CEO, DeepSynopsis
Founder, DarwynHealth

Serial entrepreneur building AI healthcare startups. Deep expertise in innovation strategy, digital transformation, and mentoring the next generation of tech creators. IIT KGP & INSEAD alumnus.

LinkedIn

Advisor - Industry

To Be Announced

NewSpace & Flight Qualification

Looking for aerospace industry professionals to advise on flight hardware standards, mission assurance, and commercial launch partnerships.

Get in Touch
Join the Advisory Board
Rocket Launch

Support & Contribute

Help Launch the Mission

VyomSat is a community-driven, open-source project. There are many ways to contribute - from code and documentation to funding and mentorship.

Contribute Code

Submit pull requests, fix bugs, add new subsystem modules, or improve MicroPython drivers. Every contribution moves us closer to orbit.

Fork & Contribute
Improve Docs

Write tutorials, translate documentation into new languages, create video walkthroughs, or improve existing README files and schematics.

Open an Issue
Test & Report

Build the kit, test subsystems, and report issues. Real-world testing from diverse environments is critical for improving reliability.

Report a Bug

Sponsorship

Fuel the Next Generation

VyomSat is free and open-source, but development, hardware prototyping, and conference participation require funding. Your sponsorship helps us:

  • Ship free kits to under-resourced schools
  • Fund flight-qualification hardware testing
  • Present at international space conferences
  • Develop advanced curriculum modules
Become a Sponsor GitHub Sponsors
Circuit Board

Join the Mission

Build the Future of Space Education

VyomSat is open-source and community-driven. Whether you're a student, educator, or engineer - contribute, adapt, and help make space accessible for everyone.

Star on GitHub Report an Issue Fork & Contribute
Documentation

Each step includes README, schematics, breadboard layouts, BOM, and editable Fritzing files.

Community

Bug reports, improvements, and adaptations welcome. Built for global collaboration.

MIT License

Free for educational use. Modify, distribute, and build upon with attribution.