We are now in our second year of the two year Canadian Satellite Design Challenge. We are building a 3U Cubesat as part of this competition.
The Canadian Satellite Design Challenge (CSDC) is a bold and innovative programme which will advance space education in Canada, inspire students to pursue science and engineering educations and careers, and prepare tomorrow’s leaders with the interdisciplinary teamwork skills which are necessary for success.
The primary objective of the Challenge is for teams of university students (undergraduate and graduate) to design and build an operational Cube-Sat, based on commercially-available, “off-the-shelf” components.
The satellites will undergo full launch and space environment qualification, and the ultimate goal of the CSDC is to launch the winning satellite into orbit in order to conduct science research.
The CSDC will begin at participating universities and colleges in September, 2010; the winning satellite(s) will be selected in October, 2012.
We have completed our first milestone in completing our Preliminary Design Review for the CSDC. As the first deliverable in the competition it is a chance for the teams to flesh out their missions and component selections. It is also an opportunity for the CSDC management to give feedback and direction for the teams. We have been given lots of very good feedback and we are working to fill the the gaps in our designs. Another step forward complete!