Orientation
Phase 1 began with an introduction to CTE Mission: CubeSat, including the background and timeline of the challenge, and the goal of mission design. The virtual information session can help your team understand what to expect in Phase 1 of CTE Mission: CubeSat.School and team
Explore the diversity of space-related careers and consider how designing and building CubeSat prototypes can help build skills related to those careers for you and your team. The suggested materials can help your team:
- Explore the connection to space careers and technical education.
- Define team roles and responsibilities.
- Set up a project plan for mission design.
Mission objectives
Learn what real-world CubeSat missions do — from gathering atmospheric data using a tethered balloon to tracking wild animal herds on a high-altitude glider — and determine a feasible experiment and flight method for your CubeSat prototype mission. The suggested materials can help your team:
- Learn about CubeSats and CubeSat prototypes.
- Define a research objective for the mission.
- Define a flight method for the mission.
Subsystems
Delve into the different subsystems of a CubeSat prototype — from hardware and software to communications and ground systems — and consider how a mission proposal can incorporate and describe these subsystems. The suggested materials can help your team:
- Understand the different subsystems of a CubeSat prototype, such as mechanical, ground systems, power and electrical, software, payload sensors, and communication.
- Design the subsystems for the mission.
- Plan the equipment list and estimate costs associated with the subsystems.
Mission planning
Focus on high-level planning of a project, budget, and potential community engagement to build and launch a mission during Phase 2. The suggested materials can help your team:
- Prepare a project plan for the mission proposal.
- Prepare a preliminary budget for the mission proposal.
- Brainstorm the best ways to engage the community in the mission.