A University of Cincinnati aerospace organization is making history as it partners with NASA to launch its first fully student-led satellite mission, per the university.
The organization, CubeCats, recently completed and handed off the university’s first satellite, LEOPARDSat-1. The satellite has been transferred to NASA and Voyager and is set to launch from the International Space Station this spring.
Once in orbit, the satellite will test lightweight material designed to shield people from space radiation as an alternative to other materials like water or lead.
UC says this milestone marks its expanding role in space exploration.
“This moment represents years of engineering, persistence, redesigns, testing cycles and unwavering belief from generations of students, faculty and partners,” Nathan Nguyen, president of CubeCats, told UC. “The mission also highlights UC’s growing aerospace and innovation ecosystem. What began as a student-driven vision has become a flight-ready spacecraft.”
LEOPARDSat-1 is short for “Low Earth Orbit Platform for Aerospace Research and Development Satellite-1.” The satellite includes an antenna made in UC’s 1819 Innovation Hub’s makerspace, and it was designed, built and tested by generations of UC undergraduates. CubeCat leaders Nguyen, program manager Samuel Kohls and chief engineer Matthew Verbryke led the final phase under the guidance of faculty advisor Donghoon Kim, says the school.
“We’re honored to carry the spirit of Ohio’s deep legacy of aerospace innovation forward and prove what’s possible when students are trusted and empowered to build something meaningful,” Kohls said.
To celebrate the milestone, the UC 1819 Innovation Hub held an appreciation event where guests could see an exact replica of the satellite and participate in a digital time capsule, which had them leave messages that could be transmitted once LEOPARDSat-1 goes into orbit. Members of CubeCats were also recognized during the event.
CubeCats says it’s already working on its next satellite, HABSat-1, which is expected to be twice the size of LEOPARDSat-1. UC students interested in joining CubeCats can email uccubecats@gmail.com.
More info: uccubecats.github.io.