Internship: Building software for a Smallsat

Internship: Building software for a Smallsat

Background

We are building a FlatSat (a satellite test bench), based on representative hardware. This to facilitate future testing of new satellites and for several studies to improve security and resilience of satellite links, AI data processing and investigations to higher data throughput.

NLR would like to evaluate a FlatSat software suite, implemented on the STM32 microcontroller, based on the NASA open source core Flight System (cFS). Eventually NLR wants to compare this NASA software with the NLR FlatSat software that is currently in developing.

Assignment

• Small literature study to know if the selected STM32 board is suitable of running the cFS software and/or suggest another processor board.
• Integratation of the selected STM32 board with the cFS and FreeRTOS software.
• Developing software tasks to show that the selected STM32 board works with the cFS and FreeRTOS. This task could be a blinking led.
• If time allows; implementation of the Cubesat Space Protocol (CSP). This is a protocol on top of UART between the Electrical Ground Support Equipment (EGSE, a NLR laptop) and the FlatSat/cFS/FreeRTOS.
• Developing a small front-end for communication between the EGSE and the FlatSat.

Result

• The following outcome of the internship is expected: A STM32 board with FreeRTOS and cFS, with some software tasks that can blink some leds and communicate with the EGSE

Duration

• From 1st of September 2025 to 31st of January 2026, full time.

Requested level

• 4th year student in the following fields: Embedded Engineering, Software Engineering or Space Engineering.
• Interest in embedded systems and C programming.
• Interest in space
• Assertiveness and a can-do attitude to make it a successful project

What we offer

• A challenging graduation project in a high-tech result orientated work environment
• Weekly supervision and availability of the technical staff for support
• An internship allowance

About NLR

Royal NLR has been the ambitious research organisation with the will to keep innovating for over 105 years. With that drive, we make the world of transportation safer, more sustainable, more efficient and more effective. We are on the threshold of breakthrough innovations. Plans and ideas start to move when these are fed with the right energy. Over 950 driven professionals work on research and innovation. From aircraft engineers to psychologists and from mathematicians to application experts.

This assignment will be managed by ASIS (Aerospace Systems, Information Supremacy) in which space is an important aspect. You will be incorporated in the FlatSat team in which all technical discussion, also aspects that not related to this assignment, will take place. There will be 1-to-1 guidance to tune the assignment when needed.

Interested?

Got some questions beforehand? Contact Sem Kraan via sem.kraan@nlr.nl