September,
2006
The College of Science, Engineering and Technology is involved in an exciting new project called KySat (Kentucky Satellite). KySat involves a consortium of institutions in Kentucky that are working together to design, build and launch a small satellite. The shape of the satellite will be a small cube. "This satellite is a little different because it will transmit audio data in addition to binary data," said Dr. James Hereford, Assistant Professor of Engineering and Physics. "A Ham radio operator will be able to make contact with the satellite and listen to data sent from KySat."
During the summer of 2006, seven students from five Kentucky universities worked at Ames Research Center in California to design the KySat. (The five universities involved are Murray State, University of Kentucky, University of Louisville, Morehead State, and Western Kentucky.) The students modified the basic design to add a digital interface and a high resolution camera. Users will thus be able to transfer data digitally to/from the satellite, get detailed information from the satellite, and download pictures. The KySat is scheduled to be built and tested during the 2006-2007 academic year. The launch is planned to take place during mid or late 2007; it will probably be launched from Kazakhstan in the tip of an ICBM missile.
| • | Increase student interest in the commonwealth of Kentucky in math and science (both college and high school students); |
| • | Enhance student aptitude in satellite design/build; |
| • | Promote and develop high-tech industries in Kentucky. |
It
is hoped that the KySat design will become the de facto standard for other
similar satellite projects. If so, then there will be some business opportunities
for enterprising students from the KySat consortium.
CSET is involved at several levels. It has contributed financially to the KySat consortium and has sent one student, Daniel Erb (Engineering Physics major), to California this summer to be part of the core design team. This Fall, there will be a special topics course on Satellite Fundamentals offered in the Department of Engineering and Physics. Students in the course will work on building their own small satellite and possibly help with the design of KySat by writing software and testing modules.
CSET is involved at several levels. It has contributed financially to the KySat consortium and has sent one student, Daniel Erb (Engineering Physics major), to California this summer to be part of the core design team. This Fall, there will be a special topics course on Satellite Fundamentals offered in the Department of Engineering and Physics. Students in the course will work on building their own small satellite and possibly help with the design of KySat by writing software and testing modules.
For more information, see www.kysat.com.
