Question 1

Do STAC projects actually get launched into space?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The TIME I payload flew on Blue Origin's New Shepard Mission 11 (NS-11) on May 2nd. QubeSat won a fully sponsored launch opportunity through NASA's CubeSat Launch Initiative (CSLI) to deploy from the International Space Station. TIME II is also planned for a suborbital Blue Origin flight.

Question 2

What kinds of projects can members work on?

Accepted Answer

Projects span a wide range: quantum physics (QubeSat gyroscope), microbiology (antibiotic resistance experiments in microgravity), aerospace engineering (High Altitude Balloon), software/AI (autonomous lunar rover using reinforcement learning and ROS), and hardware/mechanical (CubeSat deployer for laser communications).

Question 3

Does STAC work with outside organizations?

Accepted Answer

Yes. STAC has launched payloads for NASA Ames Research Center and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory via the HAB program, collaborated with the UCSB DeepSpace Laboratory on laser communications, and partnered with NASA Ames on the Lunar Commercial Operation and Transfer Services (LCOTS) concept for the resource rover.

Question 4

Is STAC only for aerospace or mechanical engineers?

Accepted Answer

No. Current team members include students in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Astrophysics, Bioengineering, and Astrophysics and Geophysics. Projects also involve biology, machine learning, and electronics, so there are roles across many disciplines.

Question 5

Does STAC plan to teach CubeSat development to the broader Berkeley community?

Accepted Answer

Yes. STAC plans to create a DeCal (a student-organized class) based on their QubeSat experience to teach CubeSat development basics. They have also built a ground station at the top of Cory Hall for communicating with satellites, intended to be accessible to the whole Berkeley community.

Space Technologies at California