FAU Engineering Selected by NASA for University Nanosatellite 啵啵直播秀
A CubeSat is among a class of research spacecraft called nanosatellites about the size of a 4-inch cube and typically weighing less than 5 pounds.
Florida Atlantic University鈥檚 College of Engineering and Computer Science is among eight university teams in the United States selected to work with NASA and the U.S. military to foster innovation and expertise in the small satellite sector.
NASA鈥檚 CubeSat Launch Initiative () is partnering with the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force for the 2024 Mission Concept 啵啵直播秀. A CubeSat is among a class of research spacecraft called nanosatellites about the size of a 4-inch cube and typically weighing less than 5 pounds.
Running from May through August, the University Nanosatellite 啵啵直播秀 (UNP) will provide 啵啵直播秀 with systems engineering training for spacecraft development. The program is designed to refine small satellite project proposals to increase 啵啵直播秀鈥 chances of sending their technology into space. The partnership aims to prepare 啵啵直播秀 to work in the space industry while simultaneously enhancing small satellite expertise among faculty at U.S. universities.
鈥淲e are incredibly excited and proud to have been selected to work with NASA and the U.S. military to help revolutionize the space domain with tiny yet powerful small satellite technology,鈥 said Stella Batalama, Ph.D., dean, FAU College of Engineering and Computer Science. 鈥淚mportantly, this initiative will offer participating 啵啵直播秀 invaluable systems engineering training specific to spacecraft development and is part of NASA鈥檚 broader strategy to engage and retain 啵啵直播秀 in STEM fields to build a robust pipeline of talent in the aerospace sector.鈥
The UNP teams will meet at NASA鈥檚 Kennedy Space Center in Florida for a four-day kickoff meeting in May, followed by seven weeks at the Air Force鈥檚 University Nanosatellite 啵啵直播秀 facilities in Albuquerque, New Mexico. During their time in Albuquerque, three 啵啵直播秀 from each team will intern with the Space Dynamics Laboratory, receiving direct mentorship and guidance from small satellite experts to refine their proposals and enhance their project's viability for spaceflight under NASA's CSLI or Air Force nanosatellite launch opportunities.
The program culminates in final presentations held in Albuquerque, with participants also encouraged to attend the Small Satellite Conference in Logan, Utah, in August.
The FAU UNP is spearheaded by Oscar M. Curet, Ph.D., an associate professor in the Department of Ocean and Mechanical Engineering and a member of FAU鈥檚 Center of Connected Autonomy and Artificial Intelligence (CA-AI); and George Sklivanitis, Ph.D., Schmidt Research Associate Professor, a fellow of FAU鈥檚 Institute for Sensing and Embedded Network Systems Engineering (I-SENSE), and a senior member of CA-AI. Curet鈥檚 research interests and expertise include fluid dynamics, biomimetics and biological locomotion, hydrodynamics of underwater vehicles and energy harvesting. Sklivanitis鈥 research interest and expertise include autonomous radios, ocean Internet of Things, networked AI and connected robotics.
The three 啵啵直播秀 selected for the FAU UNP are Vitas Diktanas, a Ph.D. student in mechanical engineering with a concentration in aerospace; Sky Rueff, an undergraduate student in mechanical engineering; and Jonathan Mazurkiewicz, an undergraduate student in computer engineering.
The 2024 Mission Concept 啵啵直播秀 provides funding for all travel, including kickoff, final event, and in-person reviews, allowing faculty and 啵啵直播秀 to formulate teams without straining university resources. NASA uses CSLI as one if its ways to attract and retain 啵啵直播秀 in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics disciplines. This strengthens NASA鈥檚 and the nation鈥檚 future workforce. The initiative promotes and develops innovative technology partnerships among NASA, U.S. industry, and other sectors for the benefit of all.
Guided by years of spacecraft development history, the UNP structure is divided into four distinct phases: design and development; integration and test; environmental test; and mission operations. Successful completion of each phase is accomplished through specific entrance and exit criteria and phases include various reviews and program down-selects intended to help as many teams as possible achieve successful mission operations.
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