OCaml-based CCSDS protocol stack successfully deployed in low Earth orbit
By
yminsky
Baker's choice. Dense with flavour, light on filler.
Summary
A pure-OCaml CCSDS protocol stack (codename Borealis) successfully booted in low Earth orbit on 23 April, running inside DPhi Space's ClusterGate-2 payload module. The system features end-to-end-encrypted command and control with post-quantum key rotation, all implemented in safe OCaml. The article discusses why OCaml is ideal for space applications due to its safety guarantees, particularly for running untrusted code on satellites, and references the decade-long engineering effort behind OCaml 5 as highlighted in KC Sivaramakrishnan's ICFP 2022 keynote.
Key quotes
· 3 pulledOn 23 April, our pure-OCaml CCSDS protocol stack booted up in low Earth orbit!
Untrusted code running on a satellite is a huge security risk, and OCaml is an ideal safe language to run in space.
The project, codename Borealis, is running inside DPhi Space's ClusterGate-2 payload module on the host satellite, with end-to-end-encrypted command and control and post-quantum key rotation, all implemented in safe OCaml.
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