Open-source software. Proven RF heritage. Built for what's next. This isn't just another RF development kit — it's the evolution of a radio design that flew in space, made accessible, kept open-source where it matters, and modernized for today's hardware landscape.
In 2018, Planet Labs did something remarkable — they open-sourced the radio design from their Dove Earth-imaging satellite constellation. The Dove Low-Speed Transceiver (LST) had by that point accumulated over 200 cumulative years of on-orbit data across more than 150 satellites, making it one of the most extensively operated small satellite radio designs ever built.
The OpenLST project gave the world the complete hardware design, firmware source, and documentation — not a simplified version, not an educational abstraction, but the actual open-source design that informed real spacecraft work. That generosity from the Planet Labs team is what made SpaceCommsKit possible.
The SCK-915 Lineage
The SCK-915 stands on the shoulders of the OpenLST project — the open-source radio design released by Planet Labs that inspired this entire product line. We carry that open-source spirit forward in our firmware and ground station software, while building on the foundation with a modern RF front end designed for today's supply chain and frequency landscape.
The OpenLST project is extraordinary — but working with it requires a Linux build environment, Python tools, and a considerable amount of embedded systems knowledge just to get started. For engineers and researchers who want to focus on their application rather than the toolchain, the barrier is real.
The SpaceCommsKit Explorer packages the SCK-915 hardware with a complete Windows ground station application, comprehensive documentation, and everything wired up and ready to go. We also modernized the RF front end to the 915MHz ISM band — no ham radio license required — and updated the supply chain to parts that are actively in production. So you can spend your time on your project, not on infrastructure.
What We've Proven Works
Uptime, RSSI, LQI, ADC readings — live, every 5 seconds.
AES-signed, page-verified, over RF. No physical access.
JPEG capture, chunked RF transfer, perfect image quality confirmed.
Extensible opcode system for CC1110 and Pico. Add your own payloads.
This project builds on the extraordinary work of the Planet Labs team who designed and open-sourced the OpenLST radio system. Without their generosity in releasing the complete design files, SpaceCommsKit would not exist. Special thanks to Henry Hallam, Alex Ray, Rob Zimmerman, Matt Peddie, Bryan Klofas, Ryan Kingsbury, and the full Planet Labs engineering team.
We carry the open-source spirit of OpenLST forward in our software. The SCK-915 hardware design is proprietary SpaceCommsKit IP.
The SCK-915 represents significant original engineering work. The hardware design is not published.
Small batch, high quality. Every board gets individual attention before it ships.
Every board is hand-assembled in Tennessee, USA. Not overseas, not outsourced.
Components sourced exclusively from Digi-Key, Mouser, or manufacturer direct. No clone chips, no gray market parts.
Every board is powered up and tested for RF operation before it leaves the bench.
SCK-915 boards are not conformal coated. For outdoor or high humidity applications appropriate enclosures are recommended.
The SpaceCommsKit Explorer is designed and characterized for terrestrial RF communications. Researchers interested in LEO satellite applications should understand the link budget and antenna requirements.
At 915MHz with +27dBm TX power, the SCK-915 provides comfortable link margin to a 400–550km LEO satellite at elevation angles above approximately 15° using a directional antenna. A 7–10 dBi yagi is recommended for satellite work. For low elevation passes, reducing data rate to 1.2–9.6 kbaud significantly improves link margin. Doppler shift of ±2.8 kHz at LEO velocities should also be accounted for in receiver bandwidth selection.
This approach mirrors how Planet Labs operated the original OpenLST design on their Dove constellation — the same RF architecture, tuned for the geometry of an orbital pass. Ground stations focused on overhead passes where link margin is strongest, using directional antennas for improved performance.
The SpaceCommsKit Explorer SCK-915 is an experimental development and research platform — not a certified flight unit. It is well-suited for ground-based RF research, balloon payloads, UAV communications, and educational satellite ground station development. For actual satellite integration, additional engineering and regulatory work is required.
The SCK-915 is sold for experimental, research, and development purposes under FCC Part 15.23. Here's what that means and what you're responsible for as an operator.
The SpaceCommsKit Explorer SCK-915 is an experimental RF development board designed for research, experimentation, engineering development, and educational purposes. It is not certified under FCC Part 15 for general commercial or consumer use.
Operation is permitted under FCC Part 15.23, which provides an exemption from certification requirements for devices used in research and development, experimentation, and educational activities.
The operator assumes full responsibility for:
By purchasing the SCK-915 you acknowledge that this device is sold for experimental, research, and development purposes under FCC Part 15.23. You accept responsibility for compliant operation. This device is not for resale or integration into consumer products without appropriate FCC certification.
Questions about the kit, volume pricing, university licensing, or custom configurations — we're happy to talk.
Ships to United States only · Tennessee, USA