Project Showcase

Our team participated in the CTE Mission: CubeSAT competition to expand our technical skills, gain experience for future space-related careers, and compete for a $5,000 prize for our FIRST Robotics Competition. Our mission was to design, develop, and launch a 10cm³ CubeSAT, named TrashSAT, to track and report space debris orbiting Earth. Positioned near the International Space Station (ISS), TrashSAT would enhance debris detection, improving safety for both the station and its crew. If approved by NASA, our satellite would communicate data to the ISS, which would then relay it to our ground station. Through teamwork, innovation, and resource management, we successfully kept our project costs to an efficient $218.93.

• Lainey: How to write professional emails to organizations and companies, the importance of fulfilling a specific role within a team, and the challenges of launching an object into orbit.
• Ayden: The complexities of designing electronics for space, including extreme temperature fluctuations from -200°C to 200°C and the difficulties of managing internal heat.
• Trevor: The challenges of collaborating with a team despite limited interaction, problem-solving to ensure the satellite functions in space, and managing strict deadlines.
• Austin: Leadership skills essential for future academic and career opportunities, an understanding of satellite fabrication and deployment, and effective team management and organization.
• Wade: Knowledge of space-compatible sensors, insight into the harsh conditions satellites endure in space, and the importance of team communication and project management.
• Vincent: The ability to collaborate effectively with teammates, proficiency in designing parts and models using SolidWorks, and an introduction to the manufacturing process.

This project connects to both our personal interests and broader community. Many of us have longstanding passions for space exploration, engineering, and design, making this challenge a perfect fit. The project also fostered collaboration within our Butler Tech community, allowing students from different programs to contribute their expertise. Additionally, some of us have family members in engineering fields, making this experience a meaningful step toward following in their footsteps.

• Ayden: I would have researched more efficient methods for managing heat inside an enclosed satellite, as our solution, while functional, may still face challenges.
• Trevor: I would have started working on this project earlier in the school year to reduce time constraints and stress.
• Lainey: I would have approached the project with a more open mind, considering unconventional ideas that could have enhanced our design.
• Austin: I would have prioritized time management, starting work outside of school earlier to avoid a last-minute rush before the deadline.
• Vincent: I would have conducted more in-depth research on CubeSAT regulations at the start, as we encountered significant obstacles that could have been avoided.
• Wade: I would have improved team communication earlier in the project to streamline our workflow and allow for better refinement of our design.

We are most proud of how our team came together to successfully complete this project despite limited in-person collaboration and various challenges. The experience mirrored a real-world engineering team, where every member had a critical role. We demonstrated adaptability, teamwork, and problem-solving under pressure, ultimately proving our ability to function as an efficient and skilled unit.