About CUSat

CUSat LogoCUSat is a multi-year effort to design, build, and launch an autonomous in-orbit inspection satellite system. The CUSat space vehicle consists of two functionally identical satellites that will launch together and separate in orbit. Using centimeter accuracy carrier-phase differential GPS, the two satellites will perform autonomous relative navigation. One satellite will capture imagery of the other satellite and send these images to a ground station on Earth for the reconstruction of a 3-D model of the partner satellite. The images will also act to verify the relative GPS implementation. Doing so will demonstrate how one spacecraft can diagnose the structural health and configuration of another, a capability that will help enable commercial, government, and manned space missions envisioned for the coming decades.

CUSat is the winner of the University Nanosat-4 Program which aims to educate the future aerospace workforce and develop new space technologies.

Contact Us

MAILING ADDRESS:

CUSat Satellite Project
B30 Rhodes Hall
Cornell University
Ithaca, NY 14853

TELEPHONE:

TEL: 607.255.7483
FAX: 607.255.1222

E-MAIL:

Technical Contact:
public@cusat.cornell.edu

Media Contact:
media@cusat.cornell.edu

Upcoming Events

News and Updates

March 04, 2009

CUSat has completed final testing and integration at Cornell and has been shipped back to Kirtland Air Force Base. The spacecraft will now undergo final environmental testing in preparation for launch in early 2010.

August 20, 2008

Both CUSat spacecraft have been shipped back to Cornell to allow further software testing. The spacecraft are undergoing this additional I&T in Cornell clean room facilities.

May 26, 2008

CUSat successfully completed environmental testing, including vibration testing, thermal vacuum testing, and bakeout, in facilities at Kirtland Air Force Base.

March 30, 2008

CUSat has shipped both spacecraft to facilities at Kirtland Air Force Base in Albuquerque, NM, for environmental testing and integration.

Feburary 01, 2008

CUSat has been selected to participate in the Operationally Responsive Space (ORS) Office Jumpstart Mission. CUSat will be one of three payloads carried until downselect prior to shipment to the launch site.

March 28, 2007

CUSat has been down selected at FCR. The project placed first in the Nanosat-4 competition.

Articles

September 18, 2008

Orbital Awarded New Minotaur IV Mission By U.S. Air Force

FEATURED: Orbital Sciences

August 06, 2008

Collision between rocket stages doomed Falcon 1

FEATURED: spaceflightnow.com

May 29, 2008

CUSat not selected for Jumpstart Launch on SpaceX Falcon 1

FEATURED: Yahoo! News

April 02, 2008

CUSat a Candidate for Launch through Jumpstart

FEATURED: Cornell Chronicle

November 27, 2007

L-3 Provides Software For CUSat Program

FEATURED: Satellite Today


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