Talk at the Open Hardware Summit 2025 on QUETZAL-1's Open Hardware and Software

The Aerospace Laboratory at Universidad del Valle de Guatemala (UVG) participated in the Open Hardware Summit 2025, held in Edinburgh, where Dan Álvarez, advisor of the QUETZAL-2 project and member of the team that worked on the development of QUETZAL-1, shared the experience behind the development of Guatemala’s first satellite.

During his presentation, Álvarez highlighted how, despite limited resources, the team managed to develop over 70% of the hardware locally, including critical subsystems such as attitude control, the power system, the antenna deployment mechanism, the payload, and the satellite structure. This achievement was made possible through the use of open-source hardware and software technologies, which enabled an accessible and collaborative design process.

In 2022, as part of the Laboratory’s commitment to open science, the team decided to release the satellite’s design files, including the flight code, electronic schematics, and data collected during the 211 days of operation in orbit. This body of information supported the publication of three peer-reviewed scientific articles documenting the design methodology and orbital performance of QUETZAL-1’s various subsystems.

The talk also emphasized the educational impact of the project: training young talent and demonstrating that space exploration is possible from Guatemala. This effort gave rise to the country’s first aerospace laboratory, a space where students and researchers continue to drive new missions and strengthen the open hardware ecosystem.

To access the released files, you can visit QUETZAL-1’s GitHub profile. Additionally, the scientific articles about the project can be consulted directly on the Laboratory’s website:

1. Power system design and performance
2. Passive attitude control system
3. Multispectral payload