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Flight Software

Instrument and payload software. ECSS-compliant. Flight-proven on ESA's Solar Orbiter.

1
Instrument in Orbit
Since 2016
Team Heritage
TRL 9
Flight Proven

We specialize in software for scientific instruments and payloads — the application layer that controls sensors, processes data onboard, and interfaces with the spacecraft bus. Our code runs today on ESA's Solar Orbiter, where we've supported the STIX X-ray telescope from early development through ongoing operations.

Our approach is co-engineering, not just contracting. We work alongside instrument teams, scientists, and system engineers — from joint requirements workshops through design iteration, verification, and into operations. We participate in your review cycle (SRR, PDR, CDR), share ownership of V&V, and ensure knowledge transfer throughout. You understand what we build; we understand what you need.

Our team's involvement with STIX dates back to 2012 — experience we bring to every new engagement.

Our Approach

What We Build

Instrument Application Software

Command handling, data acquisition, FDIR

Payload Data Processing

Onboard calibration, compression, downlink optimization

Onboard AI/ML

Edge inference, autonomy, quantization-aware deployment

How We Structure It

Monolithic

Single image, direct HW interfaces, RTEMS/bare-metal

Modular

Software bus architecture, independent apps

We select the architecture that fits your mission.

How We Deliver

Incremental Verification

Alongside development

Reproducible Builds

Traceable, auditable

Operations Support

Beyond delivery

EGSE & SVF · CI/CD · Traceability

Technologies

We're comfortable across a broad technology stack — and choose what fits the mission.

Embedded Languages

  • C
  • C++
  • Rust
  • Assembly

Platforms & Tooling

  • Python
  • Scala
  • ASN1SCC

Processors

  • LEON3/4
  • GR712RC
  • GR740
  • ARM Cortex

RTOS & OS

  • RTEMS
  • FreeRTOS
  • Bare-metal
  • Linux (Buildroot)

Frameworks & Standards

  • NASA cFS
  • ASN.1/ACN
  • PUS-C
  • CCSDS

FPGA & Acceleration

  • Xilinx Zynq
  • UltraScale+
  • Vivado
  • Vitis AI, DPU

ML/AI

  • PyTorch
  • TensorFlow Lite

DevOps & Simulation

  • Git
  • CI/CD
  • Docker
  • QEMU, TSIM

Flight Heritage

STIX / Solar Orbiter

Operational

End-to-end software for ESA's X-ray telescope. Our engineers have supported STIX since early development (2012), with Ateleris delivering core contributions since 2016: architecture redesign, application software, custom file system, V&V, EGSE scripts, commissioning, and ongoing operations support.

ESA PRODEX FHNW (Prime) 2016 – ongoing

Quantum-Safe Flight Software

In Progress

Post-quantum cryptographic protocol for CCSDS/SDLS on NASA cFS. Modular apps for secure key exchange, encryption, and TM/TC handling.

ESA ARTES 4S Vision Space Technologies (Prime) 2023 – ongoing
View details

EGSE Scripting Engine

Completed

Inherently safe scripting language for automated instrument testing. C++ extension integrated with TM/TC for predictable mass spectrometer verification.

ESA Swiss University (Prime) 2025

ASN1SCC Python Backend

In Progress

Python code generation for ASN.1 TM/TC protocols. Extending ESA's ASN1SCC toolchain for multi-platform deployment.

ESA GSTP N7 Space (Prime) 2025 – ongoing
View details

Formal Verification Study

Completed

STIX file system formal verification in Scala using Stainless.

Swiss Space Office MdP Prime 2020

Related Services

Ready to Talk Flight Software?

Whether you're defining requirements for a new instrument or need support for an operational mission — we're here to help.