Linux was launched into space Dec 16 on-board the Tacsat-2 satellite program as covered at www.linuxdevices.com. The TIE (Target Indicator Experiment) payload sensor was developed by the Naval Research Laboratory on top of an application-ready Linux system created by PTR Group.
Todd Brackett, PTR Group president, explains, “Say the Marines are going to land on a beach, and you want a satellite’s view of the situation, but you don’t have access to one of the big national asset satellites. That kind of access is very difficult to get for tactical purposes. You want to quickly create a satellite and get it up in space, and over the space you’re interested in. We’re proving you can do that, leveraging COTS solutions, easy solutions, and free software.
I have done a little work with some of the engineers at the PTR Group. They are very dedicated and talented group of engineers to work with. Congratulations guys!
