Satellite-Aware Validator Nodes

  • OTR validators (or relays) equipped with SDRs can track and receive signals from ham satellites or cubesats with the help of Skyfield.
  • Benefit: Enables offline message relay, block headers, or CID fetches from satellite downlinks — even when terrestrial internet is cut off.
  • Extension: Bundle TLE (orbital elements) into OTR nodes and auto-schedule satellite pass reception.

2. Passive Intelligence and Airspace Awareness

  • Doppler-aware tracking and frequency shift handling allows OTR to monitor airborne or orbital comms.
  • Benefit: Trusted mesh devices can capture, timestamp, and log unauthenticated or unexpected transmissions as RF audit trails via IPFS.
  • Add-on: Extend the RFThreatSuite with a “SkyWatch” panel showing orbiting satellite tracks and signal intercepts.

3. Satellite-Based CID Distribution

  • OTR content can be scheduled and uplinked to cubesats (e.g., via SatNOGS ground stations), then downloaded by field devices.
  • Benefit: This provides a low-cost, resilient broadcast layer for validators or users in disconnected zones.
  • Real World Parallel: Similar to how Outernet or Lacuna Space sends data packets over LoRa from orbit.

4. Antenna Auto-Alignment (Hamlib Integration)

  • Integrates with Hamlib to steer antennas — useful for Thetis SDR validators with directional antennas (Yagi, Helix).
  • Benefit: OTR deployments can auto-track high-elevation satellites or balloon relays, reducing setup time and improving SNR.

5. Trusted Origin Metadata

  • Tracks real-time satellite identity. OTR could sign relayed CIDs with satellite ID, orbit timestamp, and MAC-auth of receiver.
  • Benefit: Proves CID origin came from trusted space relay — useful in censorship scenarios or emergency broadcast zones.

Developer Integration Ideas:

  • Add sat_tracker module that syncs TLE data and predicts upcoming visible passes.
  • Extend sdr_command_relay to auto-tune based on compatible pass prediction.
  • Schedule CID_relay_via_satellite.json jobs in /relay/queue folder for timed downlink reception.

import time

def receive_cid_from_satellite(sdr_interface, frequency, duration):
print(f”Listening on {frequency} Hz via {sdr_interface} for {duration} seconds…”)
time.sleep(duration)
# Simulate receiving CID
return “QmFakeCIDFromotaRelay123456789”

  1. Try to fetch TLEs from the internet.
  2. Save a backup to /otr/tle/latest_backup.txt.
  3. Fallback to offline TLEs if online fetch fails.

  • A curl script to fetch and rotate TLEs via IPFS or from a trusted relay.
  • A scheduled job or systemd service to keep TLEs updated automatically in field validators.

[Unit]
Description=OTR Daily TLE Sync
Wants=network-online.target
After=network-online.target

[Service]
ExecStart=/bin/bash /usr/local/bin/sync_tle.sh

[Unit]
Description=Run OTR TLE Sync Daily

[Timer]
OnCalendar=daily
Persistent=true

[Install]
WantedBy=timers.target

SDK ( visual studio ready )