Hardware Developers Kit (HDK)

Overview

The Blackwing Hardware Development Kit (HDK) is a non-flight, benchtop implementation of the Sparrow avionics and payload interface. It combines a Rook 1.2 Lite avionics board with the Dodo Lite payload development board, providing a flight-representative electrical and data interface for payload hardware, embedded software, and spacecraft integration development.

The HDK uses the same payload connector architecture, pinout, power rails, and communications interfaces used by the Sparrow flight platform. Teams can develop against representative spacecraft avionics early, validate payload interfaces on the bench, and transition hardware and software to flight integration with minimal interface changes.

Technical Specifications

Description

The Blackwing Hardware Development Kit (HDK) is a non-flight, benchtop implementation of the Sparrow avionics and payload interface. It combines a Rook 1.2 Lite avionics board with the Dodo Lite payload development board, providing a flight-representative electrical and data interface for payload hardware, embedded software, and spacecraft integration development.

The HDK uses the same payload connector architecture, pinout, power rails, and communications interfaces used by the Sparrow flight platform. Teams can develop against representative spacecraft avionics early, validate payload interfaces on the bench, and transition hardware and software to flight integration with minimal interface changes.

Kit contents

• Rook 1.2 Lite - non-flight development configuration of the Rook 1.2 avionics platform. It retains the core onboard computing, C&DH, power, and payload-interface functionality required for hardware and software development, while omitting selected flight-specific and nonessential hardware.
• Dodo Lite - payload-side development board providing convenient breakout access to Sparrow power, data, GPIO, and test interfaces.
• 40-pin interconnect - connects the Rook and payload-side interfaces using the Sparrow electrical interface.
• Bench stands - 3D-printed fixtures for stable benchtop development and testing.

The HDK reproduces the Sparrow payload electrical interface on the bench, including the connector, pinout, regulated power rails, and supported data buses. Payload electronics can be powered, exercised, instrumented, and debugged using the same interface definition they will encounter during spacecraft integration.

Because the HDK is intentionally non-flight hardware, developers can probe signals, attach instrumentation, modify hardware, and perform iterative testing without consuming or risking flight avionics.

Development is supported by the same Payload Interface Guide, mechanical models, interface drawings, and integration requirements used for Sparrow payload integration.

Rook is Blackwing Space's integrated onboard computer, command-and-data-handling system, and electrical power system. Rook 1.2 Lite preserves the core architecture and payload-facing behavior of the Rook 1.2 flight design in a development-oriented configuration.

The platform uses a 32-bit Arm Cortex-M4F processor and supports CircuitPython or embedded C, allowing teams to develop flight software directly against Rook hardware rather than a software-only simulator.

• Command and data handling
• Payload communications
• Telemetry acquisition
• Data storage
• GPIO and subsystem control
• I²C, SPI, and UART interfaces
• Power-control and payload-interface behavior

Rook evolved from the PyCubed architecture while substantially redesigning the underlying hardware. Teams familiar with PyCubed retain a familiar CircuitPython development model while working against Blackwing's current avionics architecture.

The HDK provides a reference environment for developing Sparrow-compatible payload electronics before spacecraft integration.

Using Dodo Lite, developers can access payload power and communications interfaces through bench-friendly headers and test points while maintaining compatibility with the Sparrow interface definition. Payloads can be developed and validated over I²C, SPI, UART, and GPIO, with mechanical development supported by Sparrow STEP models, board outlines, and interface drawings.

This allows electrical, mechanical, and software integration work to progress in parallel well before delivery of flight hardware.

The HDK also provides a practical platform for CubeSat avionics, embedded systems, and payload-development programs.

Students and researchers work with representative spacecraft avionics and a defined satellite payload interface rather than a simplified educational breakout board. Software, electronics, and research instruments developed using the HDK can subsequently transition into Sparrow-compatible flight hardware.

Interface specifications, mechanical resources, and developer documentation are available through the Sparrow Developer Platform.

Key Benefits

• Develop against the real interface - The same 40-pin Samtec connector, power rails and logic levels used in flight, so bench results carry over instead of being an approximation.
• Start before flight hardware exists - Payload bring-up moves off the critical path. You are not waiting on an integration slot to find out how the interface behaves.
• Find integration problems early - Power sequencing, bus addressing and signal-level issues surface on a desk, where they cost hours rather than during flight integration.
• Prove your compliance items - The interface guide requires payload-side over-current protection on every rail and no back-driving. The kit is where you verify your implementation actually does that.
• Mechanical fit confirmed up front - STEP, GD&T and DXF files let you check envelope, keep-outs and fastener positions against the 0.3U payload volume before committing to a layout.
• Complete bench setup - Both boards, the interconnect cable and stands arrive ready to use, with no adapter hunting or connector sourcing to get started.
• Public documentation - The full electrical and mechanical interface is published openly, so your team can evaluate compatibility before purchasing and reference it throughout development.

Support & Warranty

The Payload Interface Guide, STEP template, GD&T drawings and DXF outline are published on the Sparrow Developer Platform and stay available as the platform evolves. The payload software interface specification, KiCad reference design and design checklist are in development and will be posted there.

Engineering support is available for payload bring-up and integration questions — interface behaviour, power sequencing, bus configuration and mechanical fit. Reach the team at hello@blackwingspace.com.

Developing on the kit is also the most direct route onto a Sparrow mission: the interface you validate here is the one used at flight integration, so hardware built against it needs no rework to fly.