Space is no longer untouchable. What was once meant only for daring astronauts, huge rockets and space stations has opened up to endless possibility. Satellite technology is accessible now to a range of worldwide private companies and to Auburn University students.
Satellites orbit us every second of the day, traveling thousands of miles per hour. Satellite technology is crucial for everyday tools and deep research.
SpaceX, one of the hottest names in tech, is making ripples in the way we think about space. Their knowledge and infrastructure to launch and land satellites exists without a government backbone. A new satellite launches this month, sending data back down to Earth once in orbit.
Space is actually very close to the Auburn family. The Auburn University Student Space Program is a unique opportunity for students to design, build and launch satellites, making a dream reality.
Teams of students design and build small nanosatellites for launch, a task that takes them about four years. Large satellites take 10-20 years to build and face the burden of being behind current technology, making the small satellites’ quick build time appealing.
The students are currently working on two satellites planned for launch in 2018. These will each be about the size of a shoebox, larger than the group’s 2011 AubieSat. Lightweight, they’re hardly the mammoth metal hunks we often envision. twenty-first century space is vastly different than Apollo-age space.
AUSSP is led by over 60 students who spend hours and years planning all the satellites’ systems before the final steps of building even begin. AUSSP partners with other universities and resources to work in the most efficient manner.
Students love the challenge, but gain career skills. The faculty team attests that AUSSP members are extremely qualified to work in this crucial modern field. A graduate of the program has even used his skills to secure a SpaceX internship.
Remembering that our society now looks out to space to manage so much of today, and potentially even our habitat tomorrow — it is easy to see the value of the unique training these students receive. Even if we can’t all be astronauts, we can proudly take Auburn into space through these creative students.
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