The International Satellite Program in Research and Education (INSPIRE) is a global student-based satellite program with participants from nine different countries. The team is designing, building and launching a microsatellite fleet destined for low earth (LEO) orbit. The Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics (LASP) at the University of Colorado Boulder is hosting an intensive 10 week workshop to collaborate on the design, test, integration and assembly of subsystems.
The University of Alberta's contribution to the INSPIRE program is our Digital Fluxgate Magnetometer payload, which achieved flight heritage on our very own Ex-Alta 1 CubeSat. The DFGM will be flying on INSPIRESat-3, which is in the detailed design phase.
Four selected students will spend 10 weeks (May 28th to August 2nd 2024) at the University of Colorado Boulder, gaining hands-on experience in nanosatellite and payload instrument design, integration and test and system engineering. Accommodation will be provided along with a stipend to cover living costs.
INSPIRESat-3 is a collaboration between LASP at CU Boulder (USA), Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST, India), University of Alberta (Canada) and Fz Julich (Germany). IIST is primarily responsible for the spacecraft bus while LASP, UA and FZ Julich will be providing the OWLS, DFGM and AtmoLite instruments respectively. The summer program will focus on spacecraft avionics interfacing with the instruments. A complete Flatsat development is envisioned with significant advances in the flight software development. Students from the participating universities will be involved in this work and mentored by the LASP CubeSat group.
All science and engineering students are welcome to apply! To apply please send your resume, an up-to-date, unofficial transcript from Bear Tracks, and a one page essay on why you should be considered for the INSPIRE summer program to amachura@ualberta.ca.
Selection Criteria:
- GPA
- How the INSPIRE experience aligns with your career ambitions in space
- Related projects & experience which will enable you to contribute to the INSPIRE team
- Demonstrated teamwork, independence, judgement and initiative
- Communication skills, ability to represent the University, compliance with application requirements
For more information, please attend our upcoming information session in the Physics Departments’ Avadh Bhatia room, CCIS 4-218 between 16:00–16:45 on Wednesday 7 February. Applications will be due Tuesday 13 February 2024 at 23:59 MST and short listed candidates will be interviewed before final selection.
In the meantime, students can review an INSPIRE program summary and INSPIRE organizational structure and INSPIRESat-1 background. Additional questions prior to the info session can be sent to dmilling@ualberta.ca