FlatSat Development & Testing Platform
A FlatSat is a fully functional spacecraft laid out flat on a workbench with all subsystems connected and operating together before integration into the flight structure. ASTI develops and operates FlatSat platforms to accelerate satellite development, validate system interfaces, test software and procedures, and reduce integration risks for CubeSat and small satellite missions.
What is a FlatSat?
FlatSat platforms replicate complete satellite functionality in a bench-top configuration where all subsystems (power, avionics, communications, attitude control, payload) are interconnected and operational but not yet installed in the flight chassis.
This approach provides significant development advantages including:
• Early system-level integration and testing
• Software development and debugging in flight-representative environment
• Interface verification between subsystems
• Procedure development and validation
• Anomaly investigation and resolution
• Training for mission operations personnel
FlatSats reduce development schedule and cost by identifying integration issues, software bugs, and interface problems early in the development cycle when they are easier and less expensive to resolve. They also enable continuous testing and iteration without disassembling flight hardware.
ASTI FSO Research Capabilities
ASTI develops FSO systems and subsystems for space and terrestrial applications:
Complete System Replication FlatSat configurations include all flight subsystems with flight-equivalent electrical and data interfaces, enabling representative end-to-end testing.
Software Development Environment Real hardware execution environment for flight software development, testing, and debugging with full subsystem interaction.
Interface Validation Verification of electrical interfaces, communication protocols, command and telemetry formats, and data flows between subsystems before flight integration.
Operations Procedure Development Development and validation of satellite commanding procedures, anomaly response protocols, and mission operations workflows.
Hardware-in-the-Loop Testing Integration of simulated space environment, ground station interfaces, and mission scenarios to test satellite behavior under realistic operational conditions.
Rapid Iteration Quick reconfiguration, modification, and testing cycles to explore design alternatives, optimize performance, and resolve issues.
Training Platform Hands-on training environment for engineers and operators to gain familiarity with satellite systems before launch.
ASTI's FlatSat capabilities support both internal satellite development programs and external partners requiring system-level integration and testing services.
ASTI collaborates with satellite manufacturers, space agencies, defense organizations, and telecommunications providers to advance FSO technology readiness and deploy operational systems.
Partnership Opportunities
We welcome partners focused on:
• CubeSat and small satellite development programs
• Satellite software development and testing
• Mission operations training and procedure validation
• System integration risk reduction
• Technology demonstration and prototyping
Contact ASTI
Accelerate satellite development with ASTI's FlatSat platforms. Contact contact@asti.technology to access FlatSat testing services, develop satellite subsystems, validate system interfaces, or train operations teams.