Space-Grade Software Architecture
& Strategic Advisory.
Architecting Command & Control systems and Reverse Engineering since 1987.
Chen Tishler — Lead Software Architect, ULTRASAT Space Telescope · Weizmann Institute of Science
Four Decades of Systems That Cannot Fail
I have been writing software since 1987 — not as a hobby, but as an engineering discipline forged in Israel's elite intelligence corps (Unit 8200), where "it mostly works" is not an acceptable delivery criterion. That shaped everything that came after.
For over two decades, I founded and led ControlBit Ltd., architecting SESAM — a mission-critical Command & Control platform deployed across defense, industrial, and scientific environments. Systems built not just to function, but to survive organizational changes, hardware migrations, and the departure of the teams that built them.
Today I serve as Lead Software Architect for the ULTRASAT Space Telescope Science Operations Center at the Weizmann Institute of Science — Israel's first space mission in the UV spectrum. The ground segment software has to work when the satellite is already in orbit. There is no git push to space.
My advisory work applies the Human Debugger methodology: 40 years of engineering judgment applied to modern AI-augmented workflows, organizational architecture, and systems where the cost of failure is measured in missions, not sprints.
Years in Practice
40+
Current Role
ULTRASAT SOC Lead
Background
Unit 8200
Specialty
Long-Horizon Architecture
Current flagship role
Lead Software Architect
ULTRASAT Space Telescope SOC
Weizmann Institute of Science
The start year. Architecture, reverse engineering, and command & control.
40+ years of systems that must work
Working Principles
- A system that cannot be understood by its next maintainer is already broken.
- Technical debt is not an accident — it is the result of decisions made under time pressure without architectural ownership.
- AI is a force multiplier for intent. If the intent is unclear, the output will be wrong at scale.
- The best architecture decision is the one you will still be able to explain in 15 years.
Advisory Engagements
A limited number of roles for organizations where architecture is a strategic asset — not a phase that gets cut.
Fractional CTO
High-level technical leadership
Executive-level software architecture leadership for incubators, startups, and growth-stage companies that need a seasoned CTO without the full-time overhead. Strategic technology roadmaps, team structure, and build-vs-buy decisions backed by 40 years of real-world execution.
Architectural Advisor
For systems that cannot fail
Deep architectural review and advisory for mission-critical systems — defense, scientific, industrial. From initial design through long-term survivability planning. The kind of engagement that prevents the call at 2am.
The Human Debugger
AI-augmented engineering judgment
Applying 40 years of engineering intuition to modern AI-augmented development workflows. Identifying where AI amplifies good intent — and where it scales confusion. Methodology immersion for senior engineering teams navigating the AI transition.
Systems Built to Last
A career defined not by projects shipped, but by systems that survive — in orbit, in operations, and across decades.
ULTRASAT Space Telescope
Weizmann Institute of Science
Lead Software Architect for Israel's first UV space telescope Science Operations Center (SOC). Real-time command & control, telemetry processing, and ground segment architecture for a mission where failure is not an option.
SESAM C2 Platform
ControlBit Ltd.
Founder and chief architect of SESAM — a mission-critical Command & Control platform deployed across defense, scientific, and industrial environments. Two decades of architectural continuity, built to outlast the teams that built it.
ProCyber Technologies
Engineering Execution
The engineering execution arm for mission-critical system delivery. Specialized in translating complex architectural decisions into production-grade systems for defense, scientific, and industrial clients.
Initiate a Conversation
For serious advisory engagements. Please include context about your project, the scale of the challenge, and your timeline.
Send EmailResponse within 48 hours for qualified inquiries.