Model-Based Execution Platform for Space Applications
TASTE is ESA’s model-based development environment for heterogenous, embedded, real-time systems, using AADL, ASN.1 and SDL models for high-level architecture, data and behaviour description. It provides the capabilities to design, implement, build, deploy and test embedded applications. The toolchain has been already used in several demonstrators, e.g., providing a framework for PERASPERA rover’s software, and some student projects, such as TASEC-LAB ballon. Its individual parts, like the ASN1SCC compiler, have been used in flight software that has been launched to orbit, like CHEOPS or PROBA 3 payload ASW and BSW.
The main goal of the Model-Based Execution Platform for Space Applications (MBEP) project is to create a complete solution for payload and CubeSat software development based on open-source software and using a model-based approach. As TASTE already supports most of the required functionality, the project focuses on various concurrent improvements by providing:
- a pre-qualified TASTE Runtime targeting a rad-hard MCU that can be used in space qualified satellite payloads – Microchip SAMRH71,
- a supplemental TASTE Runtime targeting an affordable Microchip SAMV71 MCU, which shares many characteristics with SAMRH71, and is available in a Radiation Tolerant version, SAMRH71Q21RT, that can be used in CubeSats,
- several re-usable components, supporting standardized or commonly used payload and CubeSat functions,
- requirement format exchange in SpaceCreator via ReqIF standard and MS Excel (commonly used by smaller entities),
- integration with external Verification and Validation tools,
- integration with YAMCS open-source mission control software, by extending Opus2 with XTCE TC/TM specification generation,
- AI-based Virtual Assistant supporting requirement engineering activities,
- native Python backend for ASN1SCC compiler.

The complete toolchain is to be demonstrated by using a modified version of Satellite Learning Laboratory and deploying:
- a CubeSat class SW to SAMV71 MCU acting as the On-Board Computer,
- a payload class SW to SAMRH71 MCU acting as a payload.
The SW will interact via UART, CAN and Space Wire busses with hardware provided by KISPE. Monitoring and Control will be performed by YAMCS, configured via XTCE specifications generated using Opus2. The software stack will also include N7S’s ARM BSW to demonstrate a fully featured deployment representative of real use cases.
The list of developed re-usable components includes:
- additional Service Type implementations for Opus 2 tool,
- File System, based on LittleFS,
- OBCP Engine, based on MicroPython,
- CFDP Engine, implementing CCSDS 727.0-B-5 Class 1 file exchanges,
- CANopen endpoint, based on CANopen On-Board Protocol Stack,
- Encryption and Authentication facilities, providing AES, CMAC and CCSDS SDLS based packet encryption and authentication,
- Compression facilities, providing lossless compression/decompression and lossy image compression.
The Runtimes are based on ESA’s pre-qualified version of RTEMS and N7S ARM BSP.
The project is a joint effort of N7 Space, which leads the activity and focuses on software development, KISPE, which provides the hardware and develops some of the re-usable components and integrations, as well as Ateleris, which provides the ASN1SCC Python backend.
Resources:
- TASTE – https://taste.tools/
- SpaceCreator – https://gitrepos.estec.esa.int/taste/spacecreator/
- RTEMS SMP QDP – https://rtems-qual.io.esa.int/
- ARM BSW – https://bootloader.space/
- YAMCS – https://yamcs.org/
- Opus2 – https://gitlab.esa.int/PUS-C/opus2/
- CFDP – https://github.com/n7space/n7s-cfdp
- CANopen On-Board Protocol Stack – https://n7space.com/index.php/canopen/
- MicroPython – https://micropython.org/
- Virtual Assistant – https://github.com/n7space/virtual-assistant
- Satellite Learning Laboratory – https://training.kispe.co.uk/satll/
- SAMRH71 – https://www.microchip.com/en-us/product/SAMRH71
- SAMV71 – https://www.microchip.com/en-us/product/ATSAMV71Q21
- SAMV71 RT – https://www.microchip.com/en-us/product/SAMV71Q21RT
- KISPE – https://www.kispe.co.uk/
- Ateleris – https://www.ateleris.ch/
Disclaimer: This work performed during this project was carried out under a programme of, and funded by, the European Space Agency. The views expressed here can in no way be taken to reflect the official opinion of the European Space Agency.