Our Mission

CubeSTEP’s mission is to advance small satellite technology through hands-on student research, design, and collaboration with NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. We aim to develop a 3U CubeSat platform that demonstrates innovative thermal control systems and provides a foundation for future space technology demonstrations. Through this program, students gain real-world aerospace engineering experience—preparing the next generation of engineers and researchers for careers in the space industry. 

The Mission Design and Operations Team is responsible for planning, executing, and overseeing all aspects of the CubeSat mission from launch through end-of-life. This includes designing the concept of operations, determining optimal orbital parameters to meet scientific and technical objectives, and developing operational strategies for each mission phase. 

The team is also responsible for drafting the commissioning plan to ready the payload for experiments, defining flight rules and anomaly response procedures to safeguard system integrity, and producing mission operations procedures to ensure the timely execution of critical tasks. All communication and management activities will comply with Federal Communications Commission (FCC) radio frequency regulations and adhere to NASA standards for satellite communications and operations.