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Why Join the GAS Team?
The GAS Team is an ideal way for an individual to get real-world experience as an undergraduate. The GAS Team models itself on a mix of aerospace engineering companies and university research labs, to provide its members with an authentic experience. This experience is invaluable for those looking to pursue a career in industry, academia, or higher education such as a master’s or PhD. Additionally, being on the GAS Team allows you the opportunity to send something you have worked on to space!
On the GAS Team, members get the opportunity to develop skills such as project management, teamwork, problem-solving, and communication along with technical engineering and business skills. The application of classroom knowledge is a great boost to a resume as is many of the technical conferences the team attends. Being on the GAS Team also allows students to build relationships with team connections and secure summer internships either with the GAS Team or elsewhere.
Who Can Join?
The GAS Team accepts volunteer team members from all majors at USU. Little experience is needed from freshmen and sophomores; however, the team asks that all juniors and seniors have some experience in whatever they are joining the team to do. This does not have to be satellite specific experience. The team does require a short application process.
- Graphic design (design apparel and promotional materials)
- Video production (create videos for use in outreach/promotional material)
- Business development (secure funding and maintain a strong relationship with industry sponsors and university connections)
- Outreach (assist with the Bring Utah Students to Space program)
- Electrical engineering (design PCBs)
- Communications engineering (build a ground station for communicating with the satellite)
- Software engineering (write flight software)
How Can I Join?
To join the GAS Team, students will need to complete the application form linked below. The application process is fairly simple and allows us to understand where students may best excel on the team. Once your application has been submitted, we will contact you to discuss the next steps!
The application includes:
- Resume
- Cover letter explaining why you want to join the GAS Team and what you can provide to the team
- Learn about the GAS Team and select what subteams you may be interested in
Opening Meetings
Come to our opening meeting and workshops to learn more about the GAS Team and how to join! If you'd like to receive email reminders about the events, you can sign up below.
Opening Meeting - September 5 - 5:30PM-6:30PM
Room ENGR 108
Come learn about the GAS Team from current Team members and subteam leads. If you are curious about what we do, this meeting is your opportunity to interact with us and ask questions! Hearing from us will give you an even better idea of what the team dynamic looks like, and if you plan to join the Team you are strongly encouraged to attend this meeting.
Miss the opening meeting? You can download our presentation slides here to learn more about your opportunities on the team!
Workshops
Learn more in depth from subteam leads about their respective subsystems. Workshops will range from a quick presentation about what you may do as a member of the subteam, to a hands-on demonstrations and tours of the GAS Team's facilities. If you are interested in a specific subteam, this is your opportunity to show up and ask questions to members of the team.
Workshop Day 1 - September 9 - 5:30PM-7:30PM
Room ENGR 106
The first workshop day will focus on the following subteams:
- Attitude Determination and Control System (ADCS)
- Avionics
- Flight Software (FSW)
If you plan to attend the Flight Software Workshop, please install WSL on your computer if you have windows and then download the F-prime bootstrapper so you can run commands from your own computer on Monday.
Workshop Day 2 - September 10 - 5:30PM-7:00PM
Room ENGR 104
The second workshop day will focus on the following subteams:
- Antenna Payload
- Mission Operations (MOPS)
The Antenna Payload and MOPS workshop will focus on the transparent patch antenna (TPA) and the methods the team uses to communicate with the satellite. The workshop will include short presentations on the Antenna Payload and MOPS teams. Additionally, attendees will be shown a demonstration of manufacturing the transparent patch antenna. Lastly, attendees will use GNU radio to send and receive transmissions using the TPA and other antennas.
If you plan on participating in this workshop, please bring your favorite song in .wav file format to transmit, and download GNU Radio before you arrive. If you have any questions about downloading, contact CJ Wayland.
Team Structure
If you join the GAS Team, you can join any of the following subteams working on sending a satellite to space!
The ADCS Team designs the attitude determination and control system for the satellite. This involves the development of software algorithms and commands along with the implementation of the software on its respective hardware. For GASRATS, the ADCS will be a novel design that uses only magnetorquers for 3-axis control.
The Avionics Team is responsible for the electronic systems of the satellite and ensures all components properly interface with each other. With many differing interfaces, it is critical to ensure power and data can be correctly transferred throughout the satellite. Avionics will also be responsible for designing and building a complex PCB to interface the Raspberry Pi onboard computer with the rest of the satellite components and sensors.
The Business Team manages the administrative, financial, and logistical aspects of the CubeSat project. This can involve fundraising, budgeting, sponsorships, procurement, team coordination, and overall project management to ensure the project's success. For GASRATS, the business team will be largely responsible for securing funding for the team through grants and company sponsorships.
The Environmental Testing Team subjects the satellite to various simulated space conditions and stresses, such as vacuum, temperature extremes, and vibrations. This ensures that the satellite can withstand the harsh environment of space and continue to function properly. For the GAS Team the two main testing systems will be thermal vacuum (TVAC) and vibration. The environmental testing team will be responsible for building a TVAC chamber as well as performing TVAC and vibration testing.
The Flight Software Team develops the software that controls and manages the satellite's operations. They design the software architecture, implement command and telemetry processing, and ensure that the software interfaces seamlessly with hardware components. GASRATS will be utilizing the F' (F Prime) flight software framework developed by NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). The GAS Team is working directly with JPL engineers to adapt and expand F' for use on GASRATS.
The MOPS Team coordinates with various radio frequency groups to ensure GASRATS is able to transmit and receive at the correct frequencies. MOPS is also responsible for the construction, maintenance, and operation of two separate ground stations: one at UHF frequency and one at S-band frequency. MOPS will be in charge of communicating with GASRATS using the ground stations once the satellite is in orbit.
The Outreach Team focuses on engaging the public, educational institutions, and the broader community in the GASRATS project. They organize events, workshops, educational programs, and social media campaigns to raise awareness about space exploration, technology, and STEM education. The primary duties of the Outreach team will be to carry out the Bring Utah Students to Space (BUSS) Program.
The Payload Team is responsible for designing and manufacturing the transparent patch antenna (TPA) payload on GASRATS. The payload team will also take responsibility for the design and manufacture of the camera deployment system used to image the TPA while in orbit. Integration of both these systems with the rest of the satellite will also be the responsibility of the Payload Team.
Open Leadership Positions
The GAS Team is looking to fulfill the following leadership positions. If you feel you may be a good fit, say so in your application or contact us directly.
Lead Environmental Testing Engineer
Credit: NASA- Lead the team responsible for simulating and testing the satellite and satellite components within space-like environments
- Build a thermal vacuum chamber to simulate the temperature swings the satellite will experience in low Earth orbit
- Determine the best method(s) to simulate and test the vibrations the satellite will experience on launch and deployment
- Perform analysis and assist in recommending areas of improvement based upon test results