# 036 - ADDVulcan - Hack-a-sat Part 1

- Show: [Unnamed Reverse Engineering Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/unnamed-reverse-engineering-podcast)
- Published: 2020-07-20
- Length: 57m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/unnamed-reverse-engineering-podcast/2020-07-20-036-addvulcan-hack-a-sat-part-1
- Listen: https://unnamedre.com/episode/36

## Summary

Amy DD and Will C, members of team ADDVulcan, discuss their fourth-place finish in the Hack-a-sat qualifying CTF, detailing how they organized a remote team using Discord and solved challenges involving satellite simulation, reverse engineering with Ghidra, and orbital mechanics. They describe receiving a FlatSat hardware kit for the finals, which includes an FPGA and Raspberry Pi, and explain the logistical challenges of coordinating remote access to this single physical unit. The conversation also covers specific technical hurdles, such as dealing with broken challenges, using GNU Octave as a MATLAB alternative, and leveraging Two-Line Element (TLE) data for satellite tracking.

## Chapters

- [2:37](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/unnamed-reverse-engineering-podcast/2020-07-20-036-addvulcan-hack-a-sat-part-1#t=157) Introduction: Amy DD and Will C of Team ADDVulcan
- [4:16](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/unnamed-reverse-engineering-podcast/2020-07-20-036-addvulcan-hack-a-sat-part-1#t=256) Hack-a-sat CTF Format and Qualifying Round Strategy
- [12:45](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/unnamed-reverse-engineering-podcast/2020-07-20-036-addvulcan-hack-a-sat-part-1#t=765) Remote Team Organization and Discord Workflow
- [14:37](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/unnamed-reverse-engineering-podcast/2020-07-20-036-addvulcan-hack-a-sat-part-1#t=877) FlatSat Hardware Kit and On-Orbit Challenge Prep
- [28:18](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/unnamed-reverse-engineering-podcast/2020-07-20-036-addvulcan-hack-a-sat-part-1#t=1698) Technical Challenges: MATLAB, Octave, and Broken Puzzles
- [35:16](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/unnamed-reverse-engineering-podcast/2020-07-20-036-addvulcan-hack-a-sat-part-1#t=2116) Satellite Simulation, TLEs, and Orbital Mechanics
- [45:25](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/unnamed-reverse-engineering-podcast/2020-07-20-036-addvulcan-hack-a-sat-part-1#t=2725) Car Hacking, CAN Bus, and Remote Hardware Control

## Topics

- [Embedded firmware](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/embedded-firmware)
- [Debugging & failure analysis](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/debugging-and-failure-analysis)
- [Wireless & RF](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/wireless-and-rf)
- [Security & privacy](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/security-and-privacy)
- [Prototyping & iteration](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/prototyping)
- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Hack-a-sat (other)
- ADDVulcan (other)
- Ghidra (tool)
- MATLAB (tool)
- GNU Octave (tool)
- FlatSat (product)
- Raspberry Pi (chip)
- FPGA (chip)
- NORAD (company)
- CarHackingVillage (other)
- Tesla (company)
- CubesatShop (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Ep 139: Furter Burner, Glowing Potato Peeler, Hacked Smartwatch, and The Last Atlas](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2021-10-08-ep-139-furter-burner-glowing-potato-peeler-hacked-smartwatch-and-the-last-atlas) (Hackaday Podcast)
- [130: Criminal Training Camp](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2015-12-17-130-criminal-training-camp) (Embedded.fm)
- [Ep 245: The Silver Swan, ET's Umbrella Antenna, Model Tanks vs Space Shuttle Tires](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2023-11-24-ep-245-the-silver-swan-ets-umbrella-antenna-model-tanks-vs-space-shuttle-tires) (Hackaday Podcast)
- [Ep 248: Cthulhu Clock Radio Transharmonium, Thunderscan, and How to Fill Up in Space](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2023-12-15-ep-248-cthulhu-clock-radio-transharmonium-thunderscan-and-how-to-fill-up-in-spac) (Hackaday Podcast)
- [Space Difficulties and Lost Heroes - Wanzing Workshop Whemmle](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2014-11-06-space-difficulties-and-lost-heroes-wanzing-workshop-whemmle) (The Amp Hour)

## Citing this page

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