SharkSat
Welcome to SharkSat!
Founded by a passionate group of students in 2023, SharkSat is the newest aerospace organization at Cal State Long Beach. Our team consists of multi-disciplinary engineering students, all with a shared passion and drive for innovation within the aerospace industry. Our primary focus is on designing, building, and launching a CubeSat into space. We are driven by the opportunity to create something truly groundbreaking, and the chance to push the boundaries of what is possible in the field of aerospace.
At SharkSat, we are dedicated to achieving our vision of being a key player in the aerospace industry and contributing to Long Beach's progress towards becoming an astro capital, or Space Beach, a sentiment expressed by Mayor Richardson.
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Our current directive focuses on mission design and analysis, in which we will a 3U cube satellite to NASA and be launched by 2028! The SharkSat team was chosen by NASA's Launch Services Program to meet this goal. We have a scientific and outreach mission, mapping out blue light pollution specifically and having local Long Beach high school students involved, respectively. This mission excites and drives us to explore new frontiers of engineering, and we believe that our persistence and hard work will pay off in the end. Join us on our journey and be a part of something truly amazing.
What is a CubeSat?
A CubeSat is a small, standardized satellite that is typically in the shape of a cube and designed for space research, technology demonstration, or educational purposes. These miniature spacecraft are make space exploration more accessible and cost-effective. CubeSats are commonly used for scientific experiments, Earth observation, communications, and various other missions. Their compact size and modular design have revolutionized the satellite industry, enabling universities, research institutions, and even commercial entities to participate in space missions.
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CubeSats come in sizes called 1U, 2U, and 3U:
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1U: Small, 10x10x10 cm, for basic missions.
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2U: Twice the size, 10x10x20 cm, for more complex missions.
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3U: Even larger, 10x10x30 cm, suitable for a wider range of tasks.
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At SharkSat, we're embarking on crafting a 3U CubeSat brimming with advanced data instruments. We're setting our sights on a captivating quest: to unravel the mysteries of light pollution in our very own Earth's atmosphere.
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If you'd like to learn more or support us, click the links below!
Why Light Pollution?
Light pollution is the result of excessive or misdirected artificial light, which has tangible ecological and astronomical consequences.
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From an ecological standpoint, light pollution disrupts the natural behavior of various species, particularly those that rely on darkness for essential functions. It can lead to confusion in migratory patterns, alter predator-prey dynamics, and disrupt the delicate balance of ecosystems.
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In the realm of astronomy, the intrusion of artificial light interferes with the observation of celestial objects. This impairment hampers the work of astronomers, making it challenging to study stars, galaxies, and other celestial phenomena with clarity and precision.
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This is precisely why SharkSat is at the forefront of using cutting-edge technology to closely monitor and observe light pollution within our Earth's atmosphere, all from its vantage point in lower Earth orbit. By harnessing advanced instruments and data collection capabilities, SharkSat aims to comprehensively study the nuances of light pollution and ultimately shed light on the intricacies of its far-reaching consequences.
