# Connect an official Bitcoin Core client to Blockstream Satellite

Source URL: https://helpcenter.dxp-frontend.devserver.app/blockstream-satellite/perform-advanced-functionality/connect-an-official-bitcoin-core-client-to-blockstream-satellite
Updated: 2026-04-09T09:35:58.000Z
Category: Blockstream Satellite
Section: Perform Advanced Functionality

---

You can connect an official [Bitcoin Core](https://glossary.blockstream.com/bitcoin-core/) client to Blockstream Satellite by connecting a Bitcoin Core client to a running Bitcoin Satellite node receiving data from Blockstream Satellite. The Bitcoin Satellite client will relay data received from Blockstream Satellite to any Bitcoin Core nodes connected to it. This can be set up in multiple ways.

First, by allowing the Bitcoin Satellite node to accept incoming connections via a local area network or external network. You simply add the Bitcoin Satellite client as a peer for the Bitcoin Core client and it will begin relaying data to the Core client.

Second, by running both Bitcoin Satellite and Bitcoin Core on the same device.

> **Note:** This method requires more resources on a single device since you're doubling the storage space, CPU, and RAM requirements. You will also need to download and run Bitcoin Core from its own directory rather than installing it to your system. This will prevent one client's binary from overwriting the other's due to both being named `bitcoind`.

## Method A: Allowing incoming connections to the Bitcoin Satellite client

1.

Add this parameter to the Bitcoin Satellite `bitcoin.conf` file. Make sure to restart your client afterwards for the changes to be made. 

```auto
listen=1
```

2.

Open port `8333` in your firewall to allow connections from external Bitcoin clients. This example uses the `ufw` firewall.

```auto
sudo ufw allow 8333
```

```auto
sudo ufw enable
```

3.

Connect any Bitcoin Core clients to the Bitcoin Satellite client. To do so, add the IP address of the Bitcoin Satellite client to the `bitcoin.conf` files of the Core clients.

## Method B: Run both Bitcoin Satellite and Bitcoin Core on the same computer

1.

Since we'll be running two clients on the same computer, we need to specify different data directories for them to store their Bitcoin [blockchain](https://glossary.blockstream.com/blockchain/) data, and different ports to communicate on. This can be accomplished by adding the appropriate parameters to each client's `bitcoin.conf`.

Create separate data directories for each Bitcoin client.

```auto
mkdir ~/bitcoincore
```

```auto
mkdir ~/bitcoinsatellite
```

2.

Add the Bitcoin Satellite client's IP address to the Core client's `bitcoin.conf` file so it can automatically connect.

```auto
addnode="address of the Bitcoin Satellite client here"
```

3.

Run each node with these command line arguments to point them to their respective data directories and to set each client's port to communicate on.

```auto
bitcoind -datadir=/home/username/bitcoinsatellite -rpcport=9332 -port=9333
```

```auto
/path/to/bitcoincore/bitcoind -datadir=/home/username/bitcoincore -rpcport=8332 -port=8333
```

After both clients have been started, the Bitcoin Satellite client should begin to relay data to the Core client.

Navigation: Blockstream Help Center > Blockstream Satellite > Connect an official Bitcoin Core client to Blockstream Satellite

## Related Articles in This Section
- [Verify that Bitcoin Satellite is operating correctly](https://helpcenter.dxp-frontend.devserver.app/blockstream-satellite/perform-advanced-functionality/verify-that-bitcoin-satellite-is-operating-correctly)
- [Broadcast a message over the Blockstream Satellite network](https://helpcenter.dxp-frontend.devserver.app/blockstream-satellite/perform-advanced-functionality/broadcast-a-message-over-the-blockstream-satellite-network)
- [Connect Pro Kit to two satellites at once](https://helpcenter.dxp-frontend.devserver.app/blockstream-satellite/perform-advanced-functionality/connect-pro-kit-to-two-satellites-at-once)
- [Connect an official Bitcoin Core client to Blockstream Satellite](https://helpcenter.dxp-frontend.devserver.app/blockstream-satellite/perform-advanced-functionality/connect-an-official-bitcoin-core-client-to-blockstream-satellite) (current)
- [How do I restart my Blockstream Satellite Basic Kit?](https://helpcenter.dxp-frontend.devserver.app/blockstream-satellite/perform-advanced-functionality/how-do-i-restart-my-blockstream-satellite-basic-kit)