Why a design competition?

Although launching satellites into space has become cheaper as space industries have matured and perfected their business, the cost is still well above what a normal company or research group could afford. This project explores the possibility of conducting research on picosatellites, a classification of satellites that are comparatively much cheaper and could provide a stable avenue for affordable space research. Moreover, this design competition is structured to allow students to have a one-year, two semester turnaround on an actual system design project. The students will have the opportunity to design, integrate, build, and test an entire system that will have a profound impact on their future careers. The FUNSAT Student Design Competition will evaluate multiple designs for a picosatellite which conforms to the CubeSat standard. The material costs for the winning team will be supported by our sponsors, FSGC, FSI, and Space Florida. A systematic approach is essential in defining the CubeSat, and will require analysis and optimization of the following elements due to the stringent constraints of the imposed standards:

• Satellite Mission and Payload
• Power
• Structure
• Communications
• Command and Data Handling
• Attitude Determination and Control
• Thermal Sensing and Managing

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The Florida University Satellite (FUNSAT) Design Competition is sponsored by Florida Space Grant Consortium, Florida Space Institute, and Space Florida.

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Last Modified August 25, 2008