Cooper Union Satellite Launch Initiative

Do you want to launch a satellite?

Who are we? What do we do? Why? Timeline and milestones

We are a student led group with a passion for exploration
Our goal is to create an applicable and immersive learning experience. We explore the professional design, development, and research process through the development of a satellite.

The project is both research based and design oriented. Data collection and analysis are critical to the sucess of the group. We offer students first hand experience in experimentation and design as well as hands on experience in developing the cubeSat.

As student group, we are supporting the growth as peers to one another. Our goal is to create a project based learning environment, where we grow as a team, and hone the skills necessary for advancement as a collective.

What are we doing in 2024?

Our current mission is The InkSat-- an exploration into the thermal emissivity properties of e-paper in space.

E-paper is the low energy, highly reflective screens used on e-readers. We think it can potentially be a novel way of active thermal control, highly applicable and desirable to small satellites.

Our goal is to explore its effectiveness as an active thermal controller by changing the pixel density of the screen.

Why are we doing this?

While there is already extensive research in thermal emissivity of several materials, there is yet to be an exploration of e-paper in space.

In the education perspective, researching a challenging topic offers an opportunity for different majors to engage in different fields of engineering.

For the current mission, the payload’s focus on thermal properties will allow students to explore a wide range of mechanical engineering concepts, while the data collection and test engineering aspects offer insight on the software and computer science side.

Current membership includes students from all 4 majors in the engineering school!

Timeline of achievements and goals

As of May 2023, the team has successfully purchased all components required to receive transmissions from LEO satellites on the amateur (70 cm) band

GOAL 1 FA’23:

Completed or close to completed ground station. Once all components for the (receiving) RF front-end system are obtained, a prototype ground station will be put together and reception of LEO satellites operating on amateur bands will be attempted.

GOAL 2 FA’23:

Develop experimentation for the inkSat payload. Students will design and execute experimentation analyzing the ability of e-paper to accomplish effective variable heat control in a controlled environment.

GOAL 3 FA ‘23- SP’24:

Run experiment using a 1U Sattelite prototype to the Stratosphere on a weather balloon.

Any questions may be directed to the club officers via email:

coopersatellitelaunch@gmail.com