KU students launch satellite into space with help from NASA

LAWRENCE (KSNT) - A group of engineering students at the University of Kansas have successfully put a satellite into space, a first for any institution from the Sunflower State.

The university announced the results of the successful launch of "KUbeSat-1" in a publication on Monday, July 7. The satellite reached orbit on July 3 when it was launched with the help of NASA's Firefly Aerospace Alpha rocket which contained eight satellites in total.

“This launch brings a dream to reality for the 70 students directly involved, the alumni who have generously supported the mission and all peer classmates,” said Rick Hale, professor and chair of the Department of Aerospace Engineering. “A successful orbital mission will open the door to sustained design-build-test-operate activities in orbital remote sensing that mimic our sustained success in suborbital remote sensing.”

KU's satellite is described as a "nanosatellite," measuring only about the size of a loaf of bread and weighing about three pounds. Its launch into space is part of the NASA CubeSat Launch Initiative program which offers educational institutions and nonprofits a chance to share room on NASA rockets, according to the publication.

The university's satellite will measure the energy and type of primary cosmic rays hitting Earth over the course of its one to two-year mission.

Another part of the satellite will measure very high frequency signals created by cosmic interactions within Earth's atmosphere. Information collected through the satellite will be used for academic research and development.

“The primary goal of KUbeSat-1 has been to allow students at KU to work on an engineering project that has the same stakes as projects in the aerospace industry,” said Brody Gatza, graduate research assistant and project manager. “The project has encompassed all facets of engineering and has given our team experience working with NASA, leading aerospace companies and regulating agencies.”

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