Andromeda: Guidance, Navigation & Control (GNC) Software

Andromeda is a sophisticated spacecraft Guidance, Navigation & Control (GNC) software developed by Saturn Satellite Networks. This software is designed to control satellites operating in various orbital regimes, including Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO), Medium Earth Orbit (MEO), and Low Earth Orbit (LEO). A key feature of Andromeda is its broad compatibility, as it can run on any Central Processing Unit (CPU) that supports a real-time operating system (RTOS). The flight software incorporates a fully operational Space environmental model, which has undergone extensive testing to ensure its robustness and accuracy in simulating space conditions. Saturn Satellite Networks has successfully demonstrated Andromeda’s integration on a tiny processor, specifically an Arduino Nano ESP32, running FreeRTOS. This demonstration highlights the software’s potential for use in extremely low-cost microsatellites, enabling real-time maneuvers either independently or as part of a coordinated swarm. When combined with appropriate propulsion systems and sensors, Andromeda can empower even CubeSats to perform collision avoidance with other satellites and space debris, and significantly extend their mission lifetimes in low Earth orbit. The Andromeda GNC FSW code is slated for flight on a LEO mission in 2025.