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
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Project Lead: Nicholas Florio - (Systems Engineer at Lockheed Martin Space) RM AIAA
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CubeSatSim Project Design: Dr. Alan Johnston - Education Outreach VP for AMSAT
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Hardware Design & Support: Matt Travis, Miguel Ayala - Aphelion Aerospace
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Leads for Facilitating Teachers: Tom Kirk, Eric Henrikson, & Patrick Thornton (Engineering Teachers)
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Project Coordinator: Gregg Cannady - One Voice 4 Change
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University Lead: Stephen Morgan - (Industry Laboratory Coordinator) Metropolitan State University
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Project Management Advisor: Eric Wilson - (Colorado School of Mines, PhD Student, Space Resources Program)
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Advisory: Jim Christensen - Executive Director of ShareSpace Education, the education arm of the Aldrin Family Foundation
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Advisory: Craig Merrett - AIAA, Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering, Clarkson University
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Advisory: Kevin L. Simmons - NSS Space Ambassador
TEACHERS - To confirm your team's participation in the S2B2O Fall 2022 adventure, Fill Out This Form: LINK
For more information, contact Gregg Cannady: cannadgreggory@gmail.com
More Resources & Links
Phase I CubeSat Sim Kit: $600.00 each kit (we recommend one CubeSatSim for every 5 students)
*Sponsorships are available.
We will be presenting S2B2O at the SmallSat Education Conference: https://www.smallsateducation.org/
https://github.com/alanbjohnston/CubeSatSim/wiki
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-pgyk1pc4_MzuElSC6wYTKJu4z9UWvrx
There are so many ways to find out more about CubeSats. Check out Pony Express from LM.
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/cubesats/index.html
https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/atoms/files/nasa_csli_cubesat_101_508.pdf
Mission Examples: Payloads
L’Ralph: https://www.boulder.swri.edu/pkb/ssr/ssr-ralph.pdf
Lucy Instrument Suite: http://lucy.swri.edu/mission/Spacecraft.html
Lucy Instrument Details: https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.3847/PSJ/abf83f
OSIRIS-REx Instrument Suite: https://www.asteroidmission.org/objectives/instruments/
O’TES: https://christensen.asu.edu/gallery/otes-process/
CubeSat Products:
Dragonfly CubeSat Cameras: https://dragonflyaerospace.com/products/
CubeSat Catalog: https://www.satcatalog.com/components/?subsystem=Payload+Subsystem&component-type=Camera%2FImager
CubeSat Vendor Catalog: https://gomspace.com/shop/subsystems/default.aspx
Other vendors you can look up: Tyvak, NanoAvionics, Adcole, Pumpkin Space
The Horizons of CubeSat Technology: https://youtu.be/_v3rSxYY1hE
"Learn a Lot - The Hard Way" with Sarah Rogers, Phoenix CubeSat Design: https://youtu.be/CnlBBM_umOM
NASA CubeSat 101: https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/atoms/files/nasa_csli_cubesat_101_508.pdf
Activity from NASA: https://aura.gsfc.nasa.gov/outreach/engineerAsatellite.html
TED Talk: what can we use the satellite for? What problems can we solve?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UHkEbemburs
Online Dashboard for Sharing Data (example):
https://admin.tago.io/public/dashboard/61f1df51ee9306001873dd24/c039ed19-66f4-4912-ad71-afbdac43baf8
Phoenix CubeSat
https://phxcubesat.asu.edu/resources/documents
Shared by Sarah Rogers, Systems Engineer, MIT Lincoln Laboratory
Virtual CubeSat Build: FREE APP - https://spacesteps.com/ssa
Congratulations Coral (Bolivia): GOSATS Pilot Class, Spring 2022
Technical Paper: LINK
PPT: LINK
Check out this presentation from studnets being mentored by Lockheed Martin employees. (Executive HS Internship Program.
May 10, 2022-Final Presentations
Send a Postcard to Space: https://www.clubforfuture.org/missions/
Stay tuned for a bilingual, virtual postcard Summer 2022 Postcard Session.
S2B2O Events
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Oct. 1, 2022 - Our summer interns will presents the CubeSat Sim at Cool Science in Colorado Springs,, CO
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Confirmed & Interested Teams
School/University Facilitating Teacher/Professor Mentors Country
Universidad Privada Boliviana Gustavo Siles Junhyung Park Bolivia
Universidad Catolica Boliviana Fabio Richard Diaz Palacios TBA Bolivia
Aurospace Edrick Uribe Edrick, Ulisis, Edgar Mexico
Wheat Ridge High School Steve Shultz TBA USA (CO)
Our Lady of Guadalupe R.C. HS Michael Cus TBA Belize
ESCUELA MILITAR DE INGENIERÍA Victor Hugo Cuevas Bustamante TBA Bolivia
Liberty Bells Schools Bede Adazie TBA Nigeria
Sideralis Foundation Matías Campos TBA Ecuador
Barboza Space Center Bob Barboza TBA USA (CA)
Kenya Space Agency Charles Mwangi KSA Mentors Kenya
Aerospace & Innovation Academy Kevin Simmons TBA USA (FL)
Center: Creativity, Innovation, & Discovery Rob Christensen TBA USA (UT)
Northfield High School Patrick Thornton TBA USA (CO)
IE. De Mujeres Nuestra Señora De Montserrat Nilda Rosa Ulloa Miñano TBA Perú
Colegio Peruano Chino Juan XXIII John Eliseo Torres Gonzales TBA Perú
PCNBR de Ntra. Sra. de GUADALUPE Raúl Dionisio Caroy Zelaya TBA Perú
The Vanguard School Steven Riegel TBA USA (CO)
Wings Aerospace Pathways Michelle McMahon TBA USA (CO)
Realms of Inquiry Peter Westman TBA USA (UT)
Vikhe Patil Memorial School, Pune Monika Mishra TBA India
Falcon Aerolab Erik Henrikson TBA USA (CO)
The above list does not include
Aphelion Aerospace News - Phase I CubeSat Sim Kits: LINK
Support teams in need by donating today!
You can select S2B2O in the dropdown menu to help purchase kits for teams in need.