Sim to Balloon to Orbit Initiative (S2B2O)

A Collaborative Learning Adventure

Grades 7-12 & University Teams

Fall 2022

The AIAA Rocky Mountain Section (American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics), AMSAT (Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation), and Aphelion Aerospace are inviting student teams to a CubeSat adventure to learn about solar panels, batteries, UHF radio telemetry, 3D printing, sensors, payloads, balloons, and satellite communications.

Facilitating teachers and their students will be introduced to AIAA mentors in an experiential learning adventure, where each team will have at least one aerospace mentor. Schools can participate with only a few students or an entire class. Our design team will support with resources for project management and facilitation strategies.

This is a pilot program where students inspire and inform every phase. Each team will have the freedom to design and innovate according to their passion and perseverance.

To confirm your team's participation in the S2B2O Fall 2022 adventure, Fill Out This Form: LINK

Deliverables

Phase I:

Students will build CubeSatSims (low cost satellite emulator that runs on solar panels and batteries, transmits UHF radio telemetry, has a 3D printed frame, and can be extended by additional sensors and modules.)

Phase I CubeSat Sim Kits will be provided by Aphelion Aerospace.

Phase II:

The CubeSat Sims can be launched on a high altitude balloon as the real-life realization to the principles the students are learning in Phase I. Multiple groups/schools taking different data and analyzing/comparing, and diversifying the sensors aboard lead to collaborative "missions." e.g. data, LINK

Our teams and collaborating partners will be challenged to create an app or webpage whereby each team's data can be shared via an interactive global map. (US, Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia, Costa Rica, Belize, UK, and more)

Phase III:

With the fundamentals and real-life launch/data experience completed, the third phase is to build and fly operational CubeSats. https://vaspace.org/33/ (These CubeSats would be orbital with either the Air Force, private entities/companies such as BLUE ORIGIN, or NASA's CubeSat Launch - https://www.nasa.gov/directorates/heo/home/CubeSats_initiative

Teams are encouraged to share their accomplishments by posting videos to YouTube that describes the process, products, and learning by each team.

TIMELINE

The project timeline can run at the rate that students need/desire based on their learning and progress. Phase I can be achieved in one semester. Phase II extends the project and may take another semester or longer. Phase III is part of the all-encompassing goal to be implemented later.

Schedule for Excellence

Each school works with their assigned mentor to create their own collaborative schedule. (asynchronous, synchronous, and in person) Each team will share weekly status reports covering research, technical questions, challenges, and project management updates. Teams have the option of written reports, video reports, or checking in live weekly via zoom.

Learning Approach

Student Driven / Teacher Facilitated / Aerospace Industry Inspired and Informed

Students will do the work via experiential, hands-on, and applied learning.

Facilitating Teachers are not expected to be subject matter experts. Subject Matter Experts (MENTORS) will be available to answer questions and help your students learn necessary skills, concepts, and content. The combined network of our mentors and teams will ensure that all parties are supported. Teams are highly encouraged to share solutions and help other teams.

Mentors will be provided with resources for "Best Practices" and encouraged to communicate with other mentors to give our teams a global network of support.

Collaboration Between Teams

Teachers will communicate in order to build a digital community and share, catalog, and record successes and ideas. (message board/slack, shared docs, wiki setup, tutorials, technical drawings, files, etc.)

Bilingual

Spanish / English

Our intent is to provide this global learning adventure simultaneously in Spanish and English. We will work through challenges and opportunities together, respecting the potential of multiple perspectives for the global mission of empowering all learners, GLOBALLY. We are working on translations of this site and all resources into Spanish.

Design Team

Project Lead: Nicholas Florio - (Systems Engineer at Lockheed Martin Space) RM AIAA
CubeSatSim Project Design: Dr. Alan Johnston - Education Outreach VP for AMSAT
Hardware Design & Support: Matt Travis, Miguel Ayala - Aphelion Aerospace
Leads for Facilitating Teachers: Tom Kirk, Eric Henrikson, & Patrick Thornton (Engineering Teachers)
Project Coordinator: Gregg Cannady - One Voice 4 Change
University Lead: Stephen Morgan - (Industry Laboratory Coordinator) Metropolitan State University
Project Management Advisor: Eric Wilson - (Colorado School of Mines, PhD Student, Space Resources Program)
Advisory: Jim Christensen - Executive Director of ShareSpace Education, the education arm of the Aldrin Family Foundation
Advisory: Craig Merrett - AIAA, Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering, Clarkson University
Advisory: Kevin L. Simmons - NSS Space Ambassador