STAR-GOAT
LAUNCH YOUR AEROSPACE TESTING INTO THE FUTURE
The industry's leading turnkey data acquisition and control software solution for mission-critical aerospace test stands
STAR-GOAT (Strategic Tester for Aerospace Research - Ground Operation Acceptance Testing) delivers a comprehensive solution for mission-critical aerospace test stands with high-speed I/O monitoring, precision control, and powerful visualization capabilities.
Powerful Features
STAR-GOAT is packed with capabilities designed to meet the most demanding aerospace testing requirements
Define: Discover & Create
Configure your system using the intutive Configurator GUI, write or script your own configuration with easy to edit CSV configuration files. Define DAQ hardware, custom scaling, virtual channels, calc channels and more. Customize your UI with no-code P&ID diagrams, save and recall UI configurations with the Workspace feature.
Precision Control
High-speed, deterministic sequences on Linux RT provide sub-millisecond control and reponse. Industry standard control strategies including Bang Bang, PID, and FFT analysis for mission-critical operations.
Monitor: Insight & Control
Visualize IO signals in tables and historical plots, create custom codeless P&ID diagrams with high-speed data logging capabilities. Includes comprehensive alert systems for threshold monitoring and system health.
System Flexibility
Support for NI Hardware (PXI, cRIO, cDAQ), Industry Protocols (OPC UA, Profinet, Modbus), and extension points for custom code integration and algorithms. Seamlessly integrates with existing aerospace infrastructure.
Hardware support for PXI, cRIO, cDAQ, OPC-UA
Run STAR-GOAT on windows or Linux RT
Applications
STAR-GOAT has been successfully implemented in multiple mission-critical applications
Rocket Engine Test Stand
High-performance data acquisition and control for rocket propulsion testing systems, with precision monitoring of pressure, temperature, flow rates, and other critical parameters.
Wind Tunnel Data System
Comprehensive monitoring and control for aerodynamic research facilities, capable of handling high-channel-count applications with synchronous data acquisition.
Hypersonic Test Range
Advanced data collection and analysis for extreme aerodynamic environments, with high-speed logging and real-time control for mission-critical test sequences.
Satellite Thruster Testing
Precision control and measurement for spacecraft propulsion validation, including vacuum chamber monitoring and control with comprehensive data logging.
Arc Jet Facility
Thermal protection system testing with advanced thermal and pressure measurement capabilities. NASA-grade data acquisition for extreme temperature environments.
Custom Test Environments
Adaptable architecture for specialized aerospace testing needs, with custom configuration options and flexible deployment for mission-specific requirements.
Advanced System Capabilities
STAR-GOAT delivers comprehensive features to address the demanding requirements of aerospace testing
Data Acquisition
High-performance sampling
- Support for 2000+ channels with sampling rates up to 250kHz
- Broad support for DAQmx across NI PXI, cRIO, cDAQ and more
- Multi-rate data logging with timestamp synchronization
- IEEE-1588 (PTP) synchronization support for sub microsecond remote daq synchronization
- Multi-phase channel scaling including linear, polynomial, and lookup tables
- High-speed TDMS file format for efficient data storage
Real-Time Control
Precision command & control
- 1kHz precision control for mission-critical systems (RT)
- Configurable control logic (Bang Bang, PID, FFT)
- Deterministic sequence control with conditional branching
- Formula calculations with real-time math processing
- Real time (RT) automatic abort on abnormal conditions
Visualization & Monitoring
Comprehensive insight
- Live raw and scaled data, configurable tables and graphs
- User editable P&ID diagrams for flexible monitoring and control
- Configurable threshold alerts with severity levels
- Historical, full-rate data playback in the client
- Customizable workspaces for multi-screen window configuration
Bring Your Data to Live
Take command of your data with user editable diagrams for subsystem or application specific visualizations
STAR-GOAT Packages
Choose the right solution for your aerospace testing needs
Base
For small-scale testing operations
Essential capabilities for basic aerospace testing with moderate channel counts and acquisition rates.
- 1-200 channel capacity
- Up to 50kHz data acquisition rates
- 100 Hz precision control
- 1 Controller + 3 Client configuration
- 1 day installation & training
- Perpetual or Renewable License
- Email support (included with maintenance)
Full
For medium-sized testing environments
Advanced capabilities for comprehensive testing with higher channel counts and acquisition rates.
- 1-500 channel capacity
- Up to 100kHz data acquisition rates
- 500 Hz precision control
- 1 Controller + 4 Client configuration
- 3 days installation & training
- Perpetual or Renewable License
- Email support (included with maintenance)
Pro
For advanced mission-critical operations
Ultimate capabilities for demanding aerospace testing with maximum performance and channel capacity.
- 1-2000 channel capacity
- 250kHz+ data acquisition rates
- 1kHz precision control
- 1 Controller + 5 Client configuration
- 1 week installation & training
- Perpetual or Renewable License
- Email support (included with maintenance)
- Phone Support with Priority Response (included with maintenance)
Volume discounts available for multiple system deployments at the same facility
Technical Specifications
Built for performance and reliability in mission-critical aerospace environments
Data Publishing Rate
Configurable controller broadcast rate for live channel data display
Clock Synchronization
Precision timing synchronization options for distributed systems
Supported Hardware
Compatible with National Instruments hardware platforms
Data Format
Efficient binary file format for storing high-speed measurement data
Protocol Support
Industry-standard protocols for device integration
Alert Monitor Rate
Customizable data rate used to monitor threshold alerts
Case Study: NASA Arc Jet Data Acquisition System
Real-world implementation of STAR-GOAT in a mission-critical aerospace testing environment
JKI successfully implemented the DASU (Data Acquisition System Upgrade) for NASA's Arc Jet Complex at Ames Research Center. The project leveraged STAR-GOAT's flexible architecture designed specifically for aerospace testing environments. This Class C software system required compliance with NPR 7150.2D requirements.
- Challenge: Replace obsolete data acquisition hardware with a modern system while meeting NASA's rigorous software engineering requirements for mission-critical applications
- Approach: Implemented a comprehensive Software Development Plan (SDP) with rigorous verification and validation procedures to ensure full NPR 7150.2D compliance
- Solution: Deployed STAR-GOAT Pro with custom configurations for thermal protection system testing in extreme temperature environments
- Results: Successful delivery of a compliant system that surpassed the capabilities of the legacy system while meeting all NASA requirements
This project provided the foundation for JKI's NASA Compliance Package, which has been refined and expanded for use across various LabVIEW applications.
Ready to Transform Your Aerospace Testing?
Contact our team of experts to discuss how STAR-GOAT can elevate your testing capabilities and streamline your operations.
Talk to Our Aeropsace Testing Specialists
Our team has real-world experience implementing aerospace testing applications with our STAR-GOAT platform. Let's discuss your specific project needs and how our STAR-GOAT platform can help.
Call (888) 891-7821