StellarMate (StellarMate X OS)
Technical sheet for StellarMate, the INDI/Ekos/KStars software suite that drives the astrophotography setup, here installed as StellarMate X OS on a mini PC.
Description
StellarMate is an astrophotography software suite developed by Ikarus Technologies, built around INDI (device control), Ekos (sequencing and automation) and KStars (planetarium). It centralizes control of the mount, camera, autoguiding, focusing and filter wheel from a single interface: autofocus, autoguiding, plate solving, assisted polar alignment and a sequence scheduler.
Normally shipped as “StellarMate OS” for Raspberry Pi, it’s also available as StellarMate X OS, a Kubuntu base designed to run on x86 mini PCs — here on the Blackview MP60 — a choice that benefits from more RAM and faster storage than an SD card.
Technical specifications
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Type | Astrophotography control software suite (INDI/Ekos/KStars) |
| System base | Kubuntu (StellarMate X OS, x86 variant for mini PCs) |
| Core features | Autofocus, autoguiding, plate solving, polar alignment, sequence scheduler |
| Equipment driven | Mounts, cameras, focusers, filter wheels, and any INDI-compatible device |
| Remote control | StellarMate app (iOS/Android), Ekos desktop (Windows/macOS/Linux), VNC, web manager |
| Supported hardware | Raspberry Pi (StellarMate OS), x86_64 mini PC (StellarMate X OS) |
| License | StellarMate OS (Raspberry Pi or mini PC): $59; Raspberry Pi + mini PC bundle: $99 |
Values from manufacturer specifications, to be refined with real-world use.
Official product page: StellarMate
Strengths
- A single environment (INDI/Ekos/KStars) to drive everything: mount, camera, focusing, guiding, filters.
- The x86 version (StellarMate X OS) takes advantage of a mini PC like the Blackview MP60: more RAM and a faster SSD than a Raspberry Pi.
- Several control modes (mobile app, Ekos desktop, VNC) depending on the field setup.
- Built-in plate solving and assisted polar alignment, no third-party tools needed.
Coming up
This sheet will be expanded with feedback on installing StellarMate X OS on the Blackview MP60, setting up the equipment profile, and remote control via the app.