PuppySat-1 Functional Requirements Document (FRD)
Version 0.3 — Puppy Network Space Data Architecture Concept
1. Mission Overview
Mission Name
PuppySat-1 — Puppy Network Orbital Communication & Imaging Satellite
Mission Purpose
PuppySat-1 shall be an educational, community-focused CubeSat platform designed to demonstrate:
Amateur radio communication
Experimental Earth observation
Open satellite communication protocols
Distributed space data networking
Public access to satellite information
Spacecraft software and hardware engineering
The mission shall combine approachable community design with professional spacecraft engineering principles.
2. Mission Objectives
FR-001 — Mission Goals
The satellite shall:
Provide reliable communication services
Collect Earth observation data
Demonstrate custom satellite communication technology
Provide educational resources
Support amateur radio operators
Support software and hardware development
Provide a foundation for future Puppy Network satellites
3. Puppy Network Architecture
FR-010 — Multi-Satellite Network Operation
The Puppy Network shall support multiple satellites operating together as a distributed orbital data system.
The network shall support:
Satellite-to-satellite communication
Data relay
Image transfer
Telemetry sharing
Communication services
Network expansion
FR-011 — Hybrid GEO/LEO Architecture
The Puppy Network shall support a layered satellite architecture.
The network shall consist of:
GEO Relay Backbone
GEO satellites shall provide:
High-capacity data relay
Wide-area communication support
Network backbone services
Connection between LEO satellite groups
LEO Mission Satellites
LEO satellites shall provide:
Earth imaging
Infrared sensing
Amateur radio services
Local relay operations
Data collection
Architecture:
🛰️ GEO PuppyRelay
Network Backbone
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-------------------------
| | |
🛰️ LEO-1 🛰️ LEO-2 🛰️ LEO-3
| | |
Sensors Sensors Sensors
| | |
🌎 Ground Stations
4. PuppyLink Communication Protocol
FR-020 — PuppyLink Protocol
The satellite shall use an open communication protocol called PuppyLink.
PuppyLink shall support:
Packet synchronization
Satellite identification
Telemetry transmission
Image transmission
Command communication
Network routing
Error detection
Packet format:
PUPPYLINK HEADER
Source ID
Destination ID
Packet Type
Timestamp
Priority
Hop Count
Satellite Status
Payload Data
Integrity Check
5. Radio Communication System
FR-030 — Amateur Radio Communication
The satellite shall provide amateur radio communication services.
The system shall support:
FM repeater operations
Digital communication modes
Telemetry transmission
Experimental communication
FR-031 — FM Repeater Mode
The satellite shall:
Receive FM signals
Process audio
Retransmit audio
Report repeater health
Maintain communication availability
FR-032 — Digital Communication Mode
The satellite shall support digital data transmission.
Supported data:
Telemetry
Images
Sensor information
Network packets
Experimental modes
6. Earth Observation Payload
FR-040 — Visible Imaging System
The satellite shall capture visible-light Earth imagery.
The system shall:
Capture images
Compress images
Store image data
Attach metadata
Transmit images
Image metadata:
Image ID
UTC timestamp
Satellite position
Camera settings
Sensor information
FR-041 — Infrared Imaging System
The satellite shall support infrared observation.
The system shall:
Capture infrared measurements
Store IR data
Associate data with location
Transmit infrared information
7. APT-NG Imaging System
FR-050 — Analog Image Transmission
The satellite shall support an analog image transmission system inspired by NOAA APT.
The system shall:
Convert image data into a waveform
Generate synchronization signals
Transmit image information
Support amateur decoding
FR-051 — Digital Enhancement Channel
The satellite shall support a digital imaging channel.
The digital channel shall provide:
Color imagery
Higher-resolution images
Infrared information
Additional metadata
Error correction
8. Flight Computer System
FR-060 — Onboard Computer
The satellite shall contain a flight computer capable of:
Running mission software
Managing payloads
Controlling communications
Monitoring spacecraft health
FR-061 — Real-Time Operating System
The spacecraft software shall use a real-time architecture.
Tasks shall include:
Camera Task
Radio Task
Telemetry Task
Storage Task
Network Task
Command Task
Power Task
Thermal Task
Recovery Task
Health Monitoring Task
9. Data Storage System
FR-070 — High Capacity Storage
The satellite shall provide onboard mission storage.
Storage shall support:
Images
Infrared data
Telemetry history
Relay packets
Logs
Software updates
Target capability:
1 TB-class storage system
FR-071 — Fault-Tolerant Storage
Storage shall include:
Error detection
Data integrity checks
Recovery capability
Health monitoring
FR-072 — Store-and-Forward Data Handling
Satellites shall temporarily store data when communication paths are unavailable.
The system shall:
Receive packets
Verify packets
Store packets
Forward packets when possible
10. Power System
FR-080 — Electrical Power System
The satellite shall provide reliable electrical power.
The system shall include:
Solar power generation
Battery storage
Power management electronics
Power monitoring
FR-081 — Solar Power Generation
Solar panels shall provide power for:
Flight computer
Communications
Sensors
Storage
Thermal systems
FR-082 — Battery System
The battery system shall:
Store electrical energy
Provide eclipse power
Monitor battery health
Protect against unsafe conditions
FR-083 — Power Management
The spacecraft shall prioritize power usage.
Priority:
1. Flight computer survival
2. Emergency communication
3. Power management
4. Telemetry
5. Payload operations
6. Experimental systems
11. Space Environment Engineering
FR-090 — Thermal Management
The satellite shall survive extreme temperature conditions.
The thermal system shall manage:
Sun exposure
Eclipse periods
Internal heat generation
Temperature changes
The spacecraft shall use:
Thermal insulation
Heat spreading methods
Temperature monitoring
Controlled operating modes
FR-091 — Radiation Protection
The spacecraft shall protect electronics from radiation effects.
The system shall include:
Error detection
Data integrity checking
Recovery from memory errors
Radiation-aware hardware design
FR-092 — Harsh Environment Reliability
The satellite shall be designed to withstand:
Vacuum environment
Temperature cycling
Radiation exposure
Launch vibration
Mechanical stress
12. Command and Control Security
FR-100 — Authorized Commands
The satellite shall restrict spacecraft commands.
The system shall:
Authenticate operators
Verify commands
Reject unauthorized commands
Record command history
FR-101 — Separate Telemetry and Command Systems
Telemetry:
Public mission information
Health data
Sensor information
Command:
Configuration changes
Software updates
Recovery commands
13. Software Update System
FR-110 — Remote Software Updates
The satellite shall support controlled software updates.
The system shall:
Receive update packages
Verify integrity
Install approved updates
Recover from failed updates
14. Fault Detection and Recovery
FR-120 — Fault Monitoring
The satellite shall monitor:
Battery health
Solar generation
Temperature
Memory
Computer health
Radio status
Sensor status
FR-121 — Recovery Mode
When critical faults occur, the satellite shall enter recovery mode.
Recovery mode shall:
Disable non-essential systems
Preserve power
Maintain communication
Protect mission data
Await instructions
FR-122 — Emergency Beacon
The satellite shall transmit:
PUPPYSAT EMERGENCY BEACON
STATUS:
RECOVERY MODE
TIME:
UTC Timestamp
POWER:
Battery Level
RADIO:
ACTIVE
FAULT:
Error Code
REQUEST:
GROUND ASSISTANCE
15. Ground Station Network
FR-130 — Ground Station Support
The Puppy Network shall support distributed ground stations.
Ground stations shall:
Track satellites
Receive telemetry
Decode images
Receive APT-NG signals
Upload mission data
16. Community Data Access
FR-140 — Public Mission Data
The Puppy Network shall provide public access to:
Satellite passes
Images
Telemetry
Educational material
Communication experiments
17. Future Expansion
Future capabilities may include:
Additional LEO satellites
GEO relay satellites
More sensors
Autonomous mission scheduling
Expanded ground station network
Scientific payloads
Mission Statement
PuppySat-1 is a community-driven space technology platform combining amateur radio, Earth observation, open communication systems, and accessible space education.
The Puppy Network shall demonstrate that satellites can be both technically advanced and welcoming to a global community of learners.