Assemble flight software components to build systems quickly
When creating control programs for satellites or probes, you are relieved of the burden of manually coding complex communication and processing logic one by one. F´ is a framework that divides flight software into independent components, draws a diagram of how these components connect, and automatically generates the code. Developed at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) and based on experience in actual space missions, it supports a wide range of systems from small satellites like CubeSats to ground equipment.
Component-centric structure and automatic code generation
F´ adopts a structure that decomposes flight software into individual components with clear boundaries. Each component is defined by established rules specifying what data it exchanges and what functions it performs. Developers use modeling tools to visually design components and their connections, and the system automatically generates the actual executable code based on this. This approach allows developers to focus on application logic because the C++ framework provides core features like message queues and threads by default. It also provides tools for unit and integration testing, systematically supporting the process of verifying software stability.
Setting up the development environment and getting started
To develop an F´ project, you need a Linux, Windows (WSL), or macOS operating system. The system must have git, Python 3.10 or higher, and a Clang or GNU C/C++ compiler installed. If you plan to create Rust-based components, you must additionally install the Rust toolchain, but the rest of the framework builds normally without it. Once preparation is complete, install the bootstrapping tool with the pip install fprime-bootstrap command and create a new project with the fprime-bootstrap project command. Beginners are advised to follow the HelloWorld tutorial to learn the entire project development process.
Suitable targets and considerations
This framework is optimized for small space flight systems such as CubeSats, small satellites, and scientific equipment, but it can also be applied to other embedded systems. It is suitable for projects that prioritize reliability due to its history of deployment in actual space missions. However, as it is a C++-based framework, understanding C++ is essential, and you must be familiar with Python and compiler environment setup. You must check the specific platform support list in the 'Supported Platforms' section of the official documentation, and the Rust toolchain is strictly required if you use components with Rust dependencies. The community is actively operated through GitHub Discussions and Issues, making it easy to resolve problems or suggest improvements.
