# Install the Blockstream Satellite node software Source URL: https://helpcenter.dxp-frontend.devserver.app/blockstream-satellite/set-up-blockstream-satellite-kit/install-the-blockstream-satellite-node-software Updated: 2026-04-09T09:37:35.000Z Category: Blockstream Satellite Section: Set up Blockstream Satellite Kit --- **This is step** [**connect Bitcoin Core client to the Blockstream Satellite client**](https://helpcenter.dxp-frontend.devserver.app/blockstream-satellite/perform-advanced-functionality/connect-an-official-bitcoin-core-client-to-blockstream-satellite)**8 of the** [**Blockstream Satellite Kit setup guide**](https://helpcenter.dxp-frontend.devserver.app/blockstream-satellite/set-up-blockstream-satellite-kit/set-up-a-blockstream-satellite-kit)**.** Blockstream maintains a customized version of [Bitcoin Core](https://glossary.blockstream.com/bitcoin-core/) that is capable of receiving and decoding the data that is sent over satellite, in addition to everything a normal Bitcoin Core node does. The custom node software is currently based on [Bitcoin Core v0.19](https://bitcoincore.org/en/releases/0.19.0.1/). You will need to type some things into a terminal to install and launch the application. To enter a command, copy and paste each line as shown below, pressing enter at the end of each line. > **Note:** If you already have Bitcoin Core installed—such as via apt-get or dnf—then our custom version will overwrite it. Don't worry, all of your [blockchain](https://glossary.blockstream.com/blockchain/) and wallet data will be safe. ## Install the Blockstream Satellite [Bitcoin node](https://glossary.blockstream.com/bitcoin-node/) Software 1. Open the Terminal on your Linux computer (Ctrl-Alt-T). 2. Install the custom Bitcoin node software. ```auto blocksat-cli deps install --btc ``` > **Note:** If you have the official Bitcoin Core already installed on your computer, the installation will fail. To resolve this, you can either remove Bitcoin Core and attempt the installation again, or manually install the custom node software to an alternative directory location (advanced users only). 3. Generate a configuration file so that your node can receive the Bitcoin data received from the satellite. ```auto blocksat-cli btc ``` > **Note:** By default, this command will generate a bitcoin.conf file in the default directory (`~/.bitcoin/`). You can specify an alternative directory with `blocksat-cli btc -d datadir` 4. Start your Blockstream Satellite Bitcoin node. ```auto bitcoind ``` > **Tip:** You can start your Blockstream Satellite Bitcoin node with its internet connection disabled, ensuring that all blockchain data is received from the satellite link only. To do this, start your node with the line `bitcoind -connect=0`. Alternatively, you can add the line `connect=0` to your bitcoin.conf file to ensure that your node _always_ starts with the internet disabled. ## Check Your Node's Activity As long as your antenna is aligned, and the antenna, receiver, and computer are all connected properly, your new Blockstream Satellite node should now start downloading the blockchain from space! Nice work, you can sit back and watch the blocks flow in! > **Tip:** If you’re downloading the blockchain from scratch, it may take a while (**up to a few weeks**) to complete a full node sync through the satellite network. To speed up this process, you can complete the initial sync via the internet or obtain a copy of the blockchain from another source. Observe your node's logs in the default data directory `~/.bitcoin/debug.log`. For example, if using the Basic Kit, you will see logs such as the ones below, which indicate the bit rate of the traffic received from the satellite. ```auto 2020-07-02T18:15:33Z UDP multicast group 0: Average bit rate 0.09 Mbit/sec (blocksat-tbs-lowspeed) 2020-07-02T18:15:37Z UDP multicast group 1: Average bit rate 1.54 Mbit/sec (blocksat-tbs-highspeed) ``` You can also check the number of blocks being received concurrently over satellite with the following command. ```auto bitcoin-cli getchunkstats ``` ## Next Steps Once the node is fully synced, you can connect Bitcoin applications and services to the node as you would with the standard version of Bitcoin Core. > **Tip:** If you prefer to verify the blockchain on the official version of Bitcoin Core, you can [connect Bitcoin Core client to the Blockstream Satellite client](https://helpcenter.dxp-frontend.devserver.app/blockstream-satellite/perform-advanced-functionality/connect-an-official-bitcoin-core-client-to-blockstream-satellite). To do this, you'll need to open network connections on the Blockstream Satellite client. Navigation: Blockstream Help Center > Blockstream Satellite > Install the Blockstream Satellite node software ## Related Articles in This Section - [Set up a Blockstream Satellite Kit](https://helpcenter.dxp-frontend.devserver.app/blockstream-satellite/set-up-blockstream-satellite-kit/set-up-a-blockstream-satellite-kit) - [Prepare the Pro Kit components](https://helpcenter.dxp-frontend.devserver.app/blockstream-satellite/set-up-blockstream-satellite-kit/prepare-the-pro-kit-components) - [Prepare the Base Station components](https://helpcenter.dxp-frontend.devserver.app/blockstream-satellite/set-up-blockstream-satellite-kit/prepare-the-base-station-components) - [Assemble the LNB](https://helpcenter.dxp-frontend.devserver.app/blockstream-satellite/set-up-blockstream-satellite-kit/assemble-the-lnb) - [Set up the Pro Kit receiver](https://helpcenter.dxp-frontend.devserver.app/blockstream-satellite/set-up-blockstream-satellite-kit/set-up-the-pro-kit-receiver) - [Install the Blockstream Satellite Utility](https://helpcenter.dxp-frontend.devserver.app/blockstream-satellite/set-up-blockstream-satellite-kit/install-the-blockstream-satellite-utility) - [Configure the Pro Kit receiver](https://helpcenter.dxp-frontend.devserver.app/blockstream-satellite/set-up-blockstream-satellite-kit/configure-the-pro-kit-receiver) - [Install the satellite antenna](https://helpcenter.dxp-frontend.devserver.app/blockstream-satellite/set-up-blockstream-satellite-kit/install-the-satellite-antenna) - [Align the satellite antenna](https://helpcenter.dxp-frontend.devserver.app/blockstream-satellite/set-up-blockstream-satellite-kit/align-the-satellite-antenna) - [Install the Blockstream Satellite node software](https://helpcenter.dxp-frontend.devserver.app/blockstream-satellite/set-up-blockstream-satellite-kit/install-the-blockstream-satellite-node-software) (current) - [Prepare the Basic Kit components](https://helpcenter.dxp-frontend.devserver.app/blockstream-satellite/set-up-blockstream-satellite-kit/prepare-the-basic-kit-components) - [Set up the Basic Kit receiver](https://helpcenter.dxp-frontend.devserver.app/blockstream-satellite/set-up-blockstream-satellite-kit/set-up-the-basic-kit-receiver) - [Configure the Basic Kit receiver](https://helpcenter.dxp-frontend.devserver.app/blockstream-satellite/set-up-blockstream-satellite-kit/configure-the-basic-kit-receiver)