STAR-GOAT
The complete test stand platform for mission‑critical aerospace programs.
High-speed data acquisition, precision control, and operator visualization in a single configurable platform.
STAR-GOAT — Strategic Tester for Aerospace Research, Ground Operation Acceptance Testing.
What mission-critical looks like.
“JKI’s STAR-GOAT software has been an ideal choice for our engine test stand. Its reliability, scalability, and intuitive interface enable us to operate the entire stand with confidence while making instrumentation and control changes quickly and efficiently, without losing valuable time troubleshooting control software.”
Packed with capabilities for the most demanding aerospace testing requirements.
Define: Discover & Create
Configure your system in the Configurator GUI, or script it with easy-to-edit CSV files.
- Define DAQ hardware, custom scaling, virtual channels, and calc channels
- Customize your UI with no-code P&ID diagrams
- Save and recall UI configurations with the Workspace feature
Precision Control
Deterministic sequences on Linux RT deliver 1 kHz precision control for mission-critical operations.
- Industry-standard control strategies: Bang Bang, PID
- Deterministic sequence control with conditional branching and nested sequences
- Automatic abort on abnormal conditions, including FFT vibration monitoring that triggers on sustained resonance (RT)
Monitor: Insight & Control
Visualize IO signals in tables and historical plots, with high-speed data logging across the whole test campaign.
- Custom codeless P&ID diagrams for monitoring and control
- Comprehensive threshold alerts for system health
- Historical, full-rate data playback in the client
Integrate: System Flexibility
STAR-GOAT integrates seamlessly with existing aerospace infrastructure — no rip and replace.
- NI hardware support: PXI, cRIO, cDAQ
- Industry protocols: OPC UA, CAN bus, Modbus
- Extension points for custom code integration and algorithms
- Runs on Windows or Linux RT
Works with the hardware you already have.
STAR-GOAT runs on Windows or Linux RT and supports NI hardware natively alongside industry-standard protocols. No rip and replace.
Supports
Running a mission-critical test program? Talk to our team.
Get in touchAdvanced system capabilities, built for high-performance aerospace testing.
STAR-GOAT combines deterministic control, high-speed data acquisition, and intuitive operator interfaces into a single platform — giving engineers everything they need to execute, monitor, and analyze complex test campaigns.
Data acquisition
High-performance sampling
- 2000+ channels, sampling up to 200kHz
- Broad DAQmx support across NI PXI, cRIO, cDAQ and more
- Multi-rate data logging with timestamp synchronization
- IEEE-1588 (PTP) and GPS clock synchronization for sub-microsecond remote DAQ
- Linear, polynomial, and lookup-table channel scaling with tare
- High-speed TDMS format with automatic file rollover for long campaigns
Real-time control
Precision command and control
- 1kHz precision control for mission-critical systems (RT)
- Configurable control logic: Bang Bang, PID
- Deterministic sequence control with conditional branching and nested sequences
- Formula calculations with real-time math processing
- RT automatic abort, including FFT-based resonance detection
Visualization & monitoring
Comprehensive insight
- Live raw and scaled data in configurable tables and graphs
- User-editable P&ID diagrams for monitoring and control
- Configurable threshold alerts with severity levels
- Historical, full-rate data playback in the client
- Customizable multi-screen workspace configuration
Building test stand software from scratch is the wrong starting point.
Most aerospace teams spend months writing DAQ infrastructure, control loops, and visualization code before they can test a single system. That is time and budget that should go into the mission.
The old way
- Months building custom DAQ infrastructure
- Inconsistent implementations across programs
- No NPR 7150.2 compliance path for NASA work
- Visualization and control bolted together separately
With STAR-GOAT
- Up and running in days, not months
- Proven architecture across every program
- NASA NPR 7150.2 compliance path built in
- DAQ, control, and visualization in one platform
Built for the most demanding aerospace environments.
Rocket engine test stands
Precision monitoring of pressure, temperature, and flow for propulsion testing.
Wind tunnel systems
High-channel-count synchronous acquisition for aerodynamic research.
Hypersonic test ranges
High-speed logging and real-time control for extreme environments.
Satellite thruster testing
Precision control for spacecraft propulsion validation, including vacuum chamber monitoring.
Arc jet facilities
Thermal protection testing with NASA-grade data acquisition.
Custom environments
Adaptable architecture for mission-specific requirements.
Trusted on mission-critical programs.
Rocket engine test stand, Astra Space
Astra uses STAR-GOAT to run its rocket engine test program, enabling high-speed data acquisition and precision control across a demanding propulsion test environment.
- High-speed propulsion test data acquisition
- Real-time precision control sequences
- Rapid deployment on a commercial launch timeline
Arc Jet Data Acquisition System, Ames Research Center
JKI delivered a full Data Acquisition System Upgrade (DASU) for NASA's Arc Jet Complex. The Class C software system required full NPR 7150.2D compliance and replaced legacy hardware while exceeding its capabilities.
- Full NPR 7150.2D compliance delivered
- Exceeded legacy system capabilities
- Foundation for JKI's NASA Compliance Package
Choose the right package for your program.
Base
Small-scale testing operations
- 1–200 channel capacity
- Up to 50kHz data acquisition
- 100 Hz precision control
- 1 controller + 3 clients
- 1 day installation & training
- Email support (included with maintenance)
Full
Medium-sized test environments
- 1–500 channel capacity
- Up to 100kHz data acquisition
- 500 Hz precision control
- 1 controller + 4 clients
- 3 days installation & training
- Email support (included with maintenance)
Pro
Mission-critical operations
- 1–2000 channel capacity
- 200kHz+ data acquisition
- 1kHz precision control
- 1 controller + 5 clients
- 1 week installation & training
- Priority phone & email support (included with maintenance)
All packages available with perpetual licensing. Volume discounts available for multiple system deployments at the same facility.
Ready to transform your aerospace testing?
Talk to our aerospace testing specialists. We have real-world experience implementing STAR-GOAT on mission-critical programs and will walk through your specific requirements.