Short Wave A Tiny Satellite Revolution Is Afoot In Space
Feb 11, 2020
Join Joe Palko, a science correspondent specializing in space exploration, as he dives into the fascinating world of CubeSats. These miniaturized satellites have evolved dramatically, with over 1,000 launched in the last two decades. Joe discusses the groundbreaking Marco CubeSat's role in the Mars InSight mission and the Lunar Flashlight's quest for water on the moon. Learn about the innovative technology behind these small satellites and their pivotal future in missions like Artemis 1, highlighting a new era of space exploration.
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Hannah Goldberg's Satellite Journey
- Hannah Goldberg, a systems engineer, saw a flyer in 1999 asking if she wanted to build a satellite.
- This led her to join a group and contribute to a small satellite project, which predates the CubeSat.
Birth of the CubeSat
- The demand for student-built space-bound projects inspired the creation of the CubeSat.
- Two engineers from Cal Poly and Stanford developed the CubeSat as a standardized platform for building space hardware.
CubeSat Standards
- CubeSats adhere to a specific manual dictating size, materials, and weight.
- They come in various sizes, from 1U (Rubik's cube size) to 6U (cereal box size).