Industry

Innovation Support

Nick Pelster
Project Manager, CSA
Santa Maria, CA 93455
http://www.californiaspac...

1.6 Deliverables


Objective:
- The Alternative, Affordable Launch Options for Student Payloads Project is an innovation and entrepreneurship-based demonstration. Its aim was to identify a new model of student payload rideshare on military launches while providing opportunities for student experiential learning opportunities in science and engineering. In so doing, it focused on motivating students to pursue careers in science, math and engineering, while also giving them practical aerospace experience. The goal of the project was to facilitate improved access to space for students and universities, primarily with regard to Department of Defense (DoD) launches.

The Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) and CSEWI teamed together to deliver two primary products:

1. Develop and deliver a student payload process and requirements document. This document was developed to identify and publish the processes required to facilitate and allow student ride-sharing opportunities on military launch systems.

2. Design and construct a prototype hardware mock-up of a CubeSat launcher. Such a launcher would comprise multiple "P-Pod" launchers embedded in an Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) Secondary Payload Adapter (ESPA) payload sized housing. This payload launcher was intended to improve the viability of including student payloads on military launches to support student experiential learning opportunities.

During the design and development of the payload launcher mock-up, both partners engaged with university and small payload community to advertise the concept and gain support and advocacy.

Related Project Information: List of All Project Participants | Success Stories

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