GDFAU joins NASA for college nanosatellite mission
by Clarence Oxford
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Apr 18, 2024
Florida Atlantic College’s Faculty of Engineering and Pc Science has been chosen as one in all eight U.S. college groups to collaborate with NASA and the U.S. army. This partnership goals to spice up innovation and experience within the small satellite tv for pc sector by the 2024 Mission Idea Program.
This system, part of NASA’s CubeSat Launch Initiative (CSLI), includes cooperation with the U.S. Air Power and U.S. Area Power to make the most of nanosatellites. These are analysis spacecraft in regards to the measurement of a 4-inch dice, normally weighing lower than 5 kilos, and are instrumental in house analysis as a result of their measurement and cost-effectiveness.
From Might to August, the College Nanosatellite Program (UNP) will provide techniques engineering coaching for spacecraft improvement to college students. It’s tailor-made to reinforce small satellite tv for pc mission proposals, considerably growing the chance of those applied sciences being launched into house. This system additionally seeks to domesticate house industry-ready expertise amongst college students whereas growing small satellite tv for pc capabilities amongst college.
“We’re extremely excited and proud to have been chosen to work with NASA and the U.S. army to assist revolutionize the house area with tiny but highly effective small satellite tv for pc know-how,” mentioned Stella Batalama, Ph.D., dean of FAU Faculty of Engineering and Pc Science. “Importantly, this initiative will provide taking part college students invaluable techniques engineering coaching particular to spacecraft improvement and is a part of NASA’s broader technique to have interaction and retain college students in STEM fields to construct a strong pipeline of expertise within the aerospace sector.”
Contributors will initially collect at NASA’s Kennedy Area Middle in Florida for a four-day assembly in Might, adopted by seven weeks on the Air Power’s College Nanosatellite Program services in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Right here, college students will work carefully with the Area Dynamics Laboratory, receiving direct mentorship and steerage from small satellite tv for pc consultants.
The initiative will conclude with ultimate displays in Albuquerque, and attendees are inspired to take part within the Small Satellite tv for pc Convention in Logan, Utah, in August.
Main the FAU workforce are Oscar M. Curet, Ph.D., affiliate professor on the Division of Ocean and Mechanical Engineering, and George Sklivanitis, Ph.D., Schmidt Analysis Affiliate Professor at FAU’s Institute for Sensing and Embedded Community Programs Engineering. Their experience spans throughout fluid dynamics, autonomous radios, and linked robotics.
Chosen college students for the FAU UNP embody Vitas Diktanas, Sky Rueff, and Jonathan Mazurkiewicz, specializing in aerospace and pc engineering.
The 2024 Mission Idea Program not solely supplies obligatory funding for all associated journey but additionally permits college and college students to collaborate successfully with out monetary stress. This program is likely one of the methods NASA goals to take care of curiosity and experience in STEM fields, essential for the company’s and nation’s future workforce.
The structured phases of the UNP, from design to mission operations, are strategically set to maximise the success charge of those academic satellite tv for pc missions.
Associated Hyperlinks
Florida Atlantic College
Microsat Information and Nanosat Information at SpaceMart.com