Space Grade Linux, Yocto, and Embedded Linux in Orbit with Tim Bird

Duration: 1:08:14 Episode 52 by Cliff Brake, Khem Raj
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Episode Description

Tim Bird of Sony joins us on Space Grade Linux (SGL) — the ELISA-incubated project bringing embedded Linux to spacecraft. We cover the meta-sgl Yocto layer, fault-tolerant file systems, QEMU radiation simulation, fleet OTA updates, and how Linux already dominates on-orbit compute via Starlink.

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In this episode, Tim Bird (Sony) joins us to discuss Linux in space:

  • Tim's path from early embedded Linux at Lineo (Sharp Zaurus) to 20+ years at Sony on cameras, TVs, phones — and now Sony's space work (Space Communications Corp, the SLIM micro rover, and the STAR SPHERE satellite).
  • How much Linux is already in orbit: ~50% of satellites by project, ~90%+ by raw count thanks to Starlink's 10,000+ Linux-based satellites.
  • The Space Grade Linux (SGL) project: modeled on Automotive Grade Linux, currently an ELISA work group, targeting a standalone Linux Foundation project in 2026. Delivers a meta-sgl Yocto layer with planned integrations for Space-ROS, Core Flight System, and F Prime.
  • The "big five" challenges of space — radiation, thermal cycling, vacuum, launch vibration, and no service calls — and how commodity hardware (Ingenuity's Qualcomm processor, Perseverance's base station) is pushing past traditional rad-hard designs.
  • Emerging work on fault-tolerant file systems (FTRFS, ZFS), QEMU-based radiation simulation, OTA updates at fleet scale (SpaceX Starlink), and why AI workloads on orbit favor a general-purpose OS.
  • How to get involved: monthly SGL calls, the meta-sgl repo at github.com/elisa-tech, and the BeagleV-Fire reference board.
  • Advice for newcomers: embedded is in a golden age — start cheap (Raspberry Pi, Arduino-based kits like CrunchLabs), blink some LEDs, and grow from there.

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