# Open Source vs. Commercial Telemetry and Command Software As many companies are in a hurry to digitize their mission procedures in an effort to scale, reduce risk, and increase efficiency, we get a lot of questions about the benefits and drawbacks between using open source software or commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) software. We’re beyond excited as we enter a new age of heightened activity in space when new digital tools need to be built and implemented to meet demands for volume, speed, and risk reduction. We continue to see modern enterprises evolve in terms of increasing collaboration, with both remote and asynchronous operations critical to the overall success of modern space operations. Together, these drivers push a constant need towards continuous organizational improvement, aided by data driven modeling and analysis. In the immediate future, space launch and satellite operations require digital tools that have the ability to integrate with multiple command and telemetry platforms, integrate various additional data sources and post-processing tools, and the ability to automate decisions based on this data. How do you know which digital tools are the best fit for your operations team? How do you know you’re making the most of your time and money while also improving communication? How do you build, refine, or implement the tools that will help your team keep up with the accelerating growth of an industry we’re all so passionate about? In this article, we’ll give you an overview of the pros and cons of the most well-known open source and COTS software available. We’ll walk you through it all step by step, covering: **• General pros and cons of any open source software vs. commercial off-the-shelf software.** **• Available open source telemetry and command software features and benefits.** **• Available commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) software features and benefits.** **• The pros and cons of building in-house command and telemetry software** **• How to keep pace with Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) tool adoption/innovation** * * * ### GENERAL PROS & CONS OPEN SOURCE SOFTWARE VS. COTS SOFTWARE OPEN SOURCE SOFTWARE BENEFITS 1. It’s free and comes with less stringent licensing requirements. 2. Open source software potentially works across multiple platforms. 3. Bug fixes can happen quickly without going through any kind of approval process. 4. Because this software is transparent by design, it can be audited for security purposes. 5. Open source software is often written by the same engineers who create commercial software for specific companies. OPEN SOURCE SOFTWARE DRAWBACKS 1. Increased security risks. When you’re not quite sure who wrote the code, your data may become vulnerable. 2. Lifetime costs add up beyond upfront software and hosting costs. 3. Less streamlined and focused innovation opportunities. 4. There’s no certainty that the software will be compatible with the user’s off the shelf. 5. Limited technical support is provided by volunteers rather than paid staff members. 6. Limited hands-on application training. Depending on what your team needs, it’s important to consider that open source software is usually technology focused, not business focused. COMMERCIAL OFF-THE-SHELF (COTS) SOFTWARE BENEFITS 1. Usage and licensing requirements are clear with guaranteed support. 2. You know exactly who to contact if there are problems. 3. A clear upgrade and development plan. 4. Much more secure as only the commercial organization can edit the source code. 5. Users benefit from targeted and continuous innovation specific to improving mission outcomes. 6. Business-targeted software. 7. More robust product from a trusted brand that helps teams scale. COMMERCIAL OFF-THE-SHELF SOFTWARE DRAWBACKS 1. Strict licensing and use guidelines. 2. Licensing fees can be high. 3. Proprietary source code means you’re unable to access and tailor the code yourself * * * ### OPEN SOURCE COMMAND AND TELEMETRY SOFTWARE FEATURES AND BENEFITS **[OPEN MCT](https://nasa.github.io/openmct/)** - NASA Open MCT is used by NASA for data analysis of spacecraft missions. It’s a generalized and open source framework that can be used as the basis for building applications for planning, operation, and analysis of any systems producing telemetry data. - Can be adapted for planning and operations of any system that produces telemetry. - Displays streaming and historical data, imagery, timelines, procedures, and other data visualizations, all in one place. **[YAMCS](https://yamcs.org/)** Yamcs is another frequently used open-source software framework for command and control of spacecraft, satellites, payloads, ground stations and ground equipment. It targets general MCS, both for operations of spacecraft, payloads and ground equipment, and for activities during assembly, integration and testing. **[BALL: COSMOS](https://www.ball.com/aerospace/programs/commercial/cosmos)** Cosmos is open source–all code can be inspected and modified. Many people and teams have used Cosmos from universities to industry to government operations. It’s made up of 17+ applications that allow control of hardware that includes test equipment, development boards, instruments, and complete satellites. For teams looking for a no-cost start, Cosmos can be configured on Windows, Linux, and Mac OSX operating systems. **[COSMOS PROJECT](http://cosmos-project.org/)** - Hawaii Space Laboratory The Cosmos Project is designed to primarily support the development and operations of one or more small spacecraft. It’s geared toward organizations with a limited development and operations budget, such as universities. - Designed to be integrated and compatible with multiple different resources or nodes such as satellites, unmanned air systems (UASs), and ground control stations. It’s also being expanded to address simulation scenarios with complex nodal architectures where events can be detected and trigger actions. This mission open source software is a spin-off company of the University of Hawaii at Manoa. ### COMMERCIAL OFF-THE-SHELF (COTS) MISSION COMMAND AND TELEMETRY SOFTWARE **[AURORA](https://www.aurora-space.com/)** This cloud-based mission control software helps teams eliminate the costs and expenses associated with in-house software design, development, testing, deployment, and maintenance. The user interface is customizable to meet the needs of individual mission operators. **[MAJOR TOM (Kubos)](https://www.kubos.com/)** Major Tom is a commercial software that aims to help companies maintain infrastructure on the cloud as satellite operators increase the speed of satellite deployment and volume of data collected from satellites. **[Epsilon3](https://www.epsilon3.io/)**: INTEGRATION SOFTWARE Epsilon3 is designed to help teams integrate external data and systems into one place to help them streamline their processes and improve efficiency while reducing risk. Our software organizes customer systems into one central API, including storage systems, ground and flight software (like Aurora and Major Tom), work orders, and requirements. ### THE PROS AND CONS OF BUILDING IN-HOUSE COMMAND AND TELEMETRY SOFTWARE PROS - Low entry cost point - Ability to access and modify code - Fully customizable - No licensing barriers - Technology-focused CONS - Long-term costs can inhibit teams from scaling and competing with growing demand - Team members spend more time developing and problem-solving in-house software than engineering successful missions - Security issues are out of your control - Not business-growth focused ### THE STATUS AND FUTURE OF MODEL-BASED SYSTEMS ENGINEERING (MBSE) IN THE SPACE INDUSTRY The space industry is rapidly adopting Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) tools and scaling them to larger, more complex development activities. The industry sees scaling as a natural extension of ongoing digitization efforts. Model-based engineering enables a communication framework that helps facilitate an integrated view and connected data flow of the product's data throughout its lifecycle and helps to deliver the right information at the right time and at the right place.