Meteor M2 Satellite Image Decoder

Overview

The capstone project: a complete satellite ground station that receives and decodes weather images from Russian polar-orbiting Meteor M2 satellites. The satellite orbits at 820 km altitude, transmitting LRPT (Low Rate Picture Transmission) signals at 137 MHz using QPSK modulation.

Receiving images from space is compelling and memorable — this is the interview centerpiece. The project demonstrates the ability to design complete digital communications systems from theory to working hardware, directly relevant to aerospace and RF employers.

Skills Demonstrated

• Advanced DSP: Costas loop carrier recovery, Gardner timing error detection
• FEC Implementation: Viterbi decoder (K=7, R=1/2) and Reed-Solomon (255,223)
• Complex Protocol Decoding: CCSDS frame synchronization and LRPT parsing
• Complete System Integration: RF antenna to decoded image pipeline
• Doppler Compensation: AFC tracking for moving satellite (±3.4 kHz shift)
• Space Communications: Domain knowledge in satellite link budgets

Hardware

Item	Est. Cost	Source
RTL-SDR V3/V4	(from ADS-B project)	—
137 MHz LNA	$15-25	Amazon/AliExpress
137 MHz SAW filter	$10-15	Amazon/AliExpress
QFH Antenna (DIY)	$20-30	PVC pipe + coax
Coax cables, adapters	$15	Amazon
Total additional	~$60-85

Deliverables

• GitHub repo with complete VHDL source
• Individual testbenches for each module
• Simulation showing demodulation performance
• Gallery of received satellite images
• Video of live satellite pass reception
• Technical writeup explaining design decisions
• Resource utilization and timing reports

Resources

• Project Technical Documentation — Comprehensive deep dive
• LeanHRPT — Reference decoder
• MeteorDemod — Another reference
• CCSDS 131.0-B-3 (TM Synchronization and Channel Coding)

Implementation Notes

Implementation notes will be added during development. See the technical documentation for detailed architecture and design decisions.

Resource Utilization

To be measured after implementation.

Progress Log