A skilled hacker known as PistonMiner has achieved an extraordinary feat by remotely repairing and gaining control of Beesat-1, a miniature satellite that had been non-functional since 2013. The breakthrough was revealed at the 38th Chaos Communications Congress (38C3) in Hamburg.
Launched in 2009 by the Technical University of Berlin, Beesat-1 is a CubeSat measuring just 10 cubic centimeters and weighing under one kilogram. The satellite, orbiting 700 kilometers above Earth, was designed to demonstrate that miniature satellites could perform similarly to larger ones.
The satellite encountered problems in 2013 when it stopped transmitting useful telemetry data, forcing operators to largely abandon the mission. PistonMiner, associated with TU Berlin, took interest in restoring Beesat-1 due to its higher orbit, which means it will remain in space for many years to come.
Through detailed investigation, PistonMiner discovered that the issue stemmed from a software error rather than radiation damage as initially suspected. Using a custom-built "Frankenstein Beesat" test platform, the hacker developed and tested solutions before implementing them on the actual satellite.
The repair process involved complex software modifications, including hijacking virtual function table pointers and carefully managing limited communication bandwidth. In September, PistonMiner successfully uploaded new software that restored the satellite to working condition.
An unexpected bonus came when the supposedly broken onboard camera spontaneously activated during the repair process. The satellite can now transmit 9,480-byte Earth surface images, though with some exposure limitations.
The restored Beesat-1 is now available for experiments and can be used by radio amateurs to access beacons for search and rescue services, navigation, and data relay between radio stations. PistonMiner, who conducted this operation with proper authorization, hopes this achievement will serve as a model for recovering other non-functioning satellites in orbit.
This remarkable repair extends Beesat-1's operational life by potentially 20 years, demonstrating the possibilities of remote satellite maintenance and recovery from Earth.