Papers on Nico Maas

[Paper] apex Mk.2/Mk.3, apex MCC, apex MRMSS

Wed, 24 Sep 2025 08:00:19 +0000

Finally the series of studies of the apex Mk.2/Mk.3 experiments flown on MAPHEUS 10 (2021-12-06) are peer-reviewed and published. You will find them as follows:

Paper

apex Mk.2/Mk.3: Secure Live Transmission of the First Flight of Trichoplax adhaerens in Space Based on Components Off-the-Shelf: https://doi.org/10.3390/eng6090241
The apex MCC: Blueprint of an Open-Source, Secure, CCSDS-Compatible Ground Segment for Sounding Rockets, CubeSats, and Small Lander Missions: https://doi.org/10.3390/eng6090246
The apex MRMSS: A Multi-Role Mission Support System and Service Module Simulator for Payloads of Sounding Rockets and Other Space Applications: https://doi.org/10.3390/eng6090247

Media

[Paper] apex: A new commercial off-the-shelf on-board computer platform for sounding rockets

Wed, 11 Dec 2019 13:33:54 +0000

In order to supersede the aging Microchip ATMEGA328P as the de facto standard for Commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) On-Board Computers (OBCs) with a more powerful system for different kinds of high-speed sensors and image acquisition applications, we developed advanced processors, encryption, and security experiment (apex). The platform consisting of a newly developed OBC using COTS components has been flight tested during the ATEK/MAPHEUS-8 sounding rocket campaign. The main advantages of the apex OBC lies in the speed and simplicity of the design while maintaining operational security with a redundant master-master microcontroller system, as well as dual flash storage within each master. Additionally, a single board computer with a containerized and failure-resistant Operating System (OS) (balenaOS) was included to allow usage of a high-definition camera or other more compute-intensive tasks. The bench and flight tests were performed successfully and already showed feasible ways to further improve operational performance.

[Paper] (In)Security in the Internet of Things

Wed, 08 Oct 2014 11:57:45 +0000

Internet of Things is the latest buzzword beeing used in the media and a new sector for the entire electronics industry.
But connecting every electronic device to the internet disconnects everyone’s privacy in reality. This paper examines the current problems with an normal homebased “Internet of Things” system and how the information technology industry is more concerned with profit versus user security. Ultimately, we need to decide for ourselves whether we want to continue using these types of technology.

[Paper] Cyberwar – Just „Warcraft in Space?“

Wed, 20 Feb 2013 18:10:16 +0000

Following my presentation, feel free to download the final paper.

Download: Nico Maas - Cyberwar (Paper) PDF

Cyberwar - Just „Warcraft in Space?“

Sat, 05 Jan 2013 22:59:36 +0000

A presentation and (upcoming) paper which I wrote for an Seminar (Applied Informatics)

Cyberwar is a buzz word used widely in media today, but the problem is no one really knows what it even means.
What is Cyberwar? What does Cyberwar include or imply? Is it like real war - and if so, where does it take place? Which corperations deliever the needed weapons and how do they look like?

IPv6 Primer \ Presentation

Wed, 14 Nov 2012 13:37:17 +0000

Following my work on IPv6/Dualstack EIGRP Routing on c3560 I did create an IPv6 Primer / Presentation for my staff and other technical interessted people. So if you are interessted in an little insight to my work and IPv6, feel free to download this file (German, about 1 MB): IPv6, Nico Maas (2012) PDF