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This October signifies a significant milestone for the University of Georgia’s Small Satellite Research Lab — the fifth anniversary of deploying UGA’s inaugural satellite into orbit — with the lab’s 10th anniversary rapidly approaching in 2026. To commemorate this occasion, the lab hosted UGA President Jere W. Morehead; Marisa Pagnattaro, vice president for instruction and senior vice provost for academic strategy; and Anna Stenport, dean of the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences, for a special visit on Oct. 20 that highlighted the lab’s accomplishments and showcased its latest ventures.
Established in 2016 by UGA scholars and educators, SSRL commenced with support from NASA and the U.S. Air Force Research Lab to create a compact spacecraft. What began as a class project swiftly evolved into a laboratory overseeing federally funded and corporate-sponsored initiatives, including five CubeSat missions. Currently, SSRL comprises over 90 undergraduate members — and the team continues to expand.
Since its founding, over 300 students have engaged with the lab, many of whom have pursued careers in aerospace and engineering, including Caleb Adams, one of the student co-founders of SSRL and currently a NASA engineer at Ames Research Center.
The lab maintains dynamic collaborations with NASA, the U.S. Air Force, and the nonprofit Let’s Go to Space, Inc. SSRL deployed one CubeSat in 2020 and has two additional CubeSats under development.
“The Small Satellite Research Lab symbolizes a progressive stride in practical learning and interdisciplinary collaboration that students seek and industry values,” Stenport commented. “The success of the lab’s students and faculty in launching UGA into space encapsulates the extent of the lab’s influence and the potential it holds.”
Why CubeSats?
A CubeSat is a miniaturized satellite utilized for space exploration that can exist as a single unit or be configured in larger arrangements based on mission requirements. Initially developed as a pedagogical instrument, CubeSats are now extensively employed by universities, private enterprises, and government bodies. They are compact, cost-effective, quick to develop, and adaptable.
“These small yet impactful spacecraft have unlocked opportunities for practical student learning and swift innovation in space technology,” stated Deepak Mishra, Merle C. Prunty, Jr. Professor of Geography and director of SSRL. “In the past five years, we’ve broadened our research to encompass missions in space health, AI, and K–12 education. NASA’s Space Biology program has presented exhilarating new opportunities for collaboration between SSRL and UGA’s life sciences and biosciences.”
CubeSats gained popularity with NASA and other partners due to three primary advantages: reduced costs, shorter development timelines, and versatility.
Missions at a glance
Students and educators involved with SSRL engage in several missions concentrated on projects ranging from imaging and mapping to education and outreach.
Launched in October 2020 from Wallops Island, Virginia, the Spectral Ocean Color satellite mission observed coastal water quality and wetlands utilizing moderate-resolution multispectral imaging. Until communication ceased following a significant solar flare in early 2021, the mission rendered invaluable insights into the health of Georgia’s marshes and estuaries, including barrier islands like Sapelo.
The Multiview Onboard Computational Imager mission, slated for launch in 2026, boasts an onboard camera and GPU with tailored algorithms for 3D scene reconstruction. The MOCI satellite will be equipped to conduct computations in space, diminishing dependence on ground networks and facilitating quicker, more precise mapping — abilities that are essential for emergency responses and field deployment preparations.
“My experience as chief engineer of the MOCI program in SSRL has been immensely rewarding and career-defining. It has provided me with a unique opportunity to lead a remarkably skilled group of undergraduates as we approach the mission launch for MOCI,” noted Nathaniel LeBlanc, an electrical and electronics engineering major who is set to graduate in 2026. “It is gratifying for all of us in the SSRL to translate the knowledge we acquire in class directly into the development of compact satellites.”
Scheduled for a 2026 launch, the LearnSat-1 mission emphasizes global education and leadership, offering workshops and mentorships in collaboration with prestigious universities in the U.S., U.K., Japan, and Australia. Students take part in international forums such as the Youth Global Leadership Forum and the World STEAM Summit.
Also educationally inclined, the Mission for Education and Multimedia Engagement Satellite is anticipated for a 2027 launch and allows K–12 students to submit memes via a web portal while serving as an amateur FM repeater. Nearly all of the MEMESat’s subsystems are constructed in-house, providing UGA undergraduates with practical experience in data transmission, image compression, radiation-resistant data storage, aerospace manufacturing, testing, and outreach.
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