1999 · 10 citations · 3 references
EngineeringAerospace EngineeringHigher EducationAerospace StructuresSpacecraft DesignTechnical EducationMission DevelopmentSmall Satellite DesignSpace ExplorationSpacecraft StructuresSpacecraft TestSystems Engineering For SpacecraftMission Concept DevelopmentSmall Satellite Mission DesignSmall Satellite Reliability EngineeringSpace Mission DesignSpacecraft Architecture DesignSpacecraft Requirements EngineeringUndergraduate Curriculum
Abstract: The ParaSat program, a new universitybased satellite development initiative, is described. The goal of this program is to produce student managed and engineered satellites capable of supporting both education and research. Educationally, these projects expose students to the following: 1) a range of subsystem technologies necessary to develop such a spacecraft, 2) a range of lifecycle phases including conception, fabrication, and test, and 3) a realistic design team environment that includes the satisfaction of a principal investigator, the rational defense of design choices, and involvement in a team enterprise. From a research perspective, the resulting spacecraft provide inexpensive and rapidly developed platforms for space based research and/or technology demonstration; these
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