Papermoon is a new open source project creating a standardized, space-grade Linux distribution to replace the bespoke, one-off software stacks that have traditionally powered satellites and spacecraft. Built on Yocto/OpenEmbedded and incubated within the Linux Foundation's ELISA initiative, Papermoon aims to provide a shared foundational layer for the NewSpace industry, similar to how open source transformed the drone ecosystem. The project targets radiation-tolerant hardware including RISC-V boards and space-designed platforms, with plans to transition from ELISA incubation to its own foundation with member-driven governance.
Table of contents
The NewSpace Challenge: Cheaper Launches, More Complex SoftwareWhy Open Source Is the Future for Space MissionsLearning From the Drone Industry’s Open Source SuccessIntroducing Papermoon: A Proposed Space-Grade Linux StackBuilding a Safety-Critical System With the ELISA InitiativeThe Future Roadmap: From Incubation to a New FoundationSort: