Irvine01

Project Overview

Irvine01 was a groundbreaking 1U CubeSat mission developed by high school students from the Irvine CubeSat STEM Program. As one of the first high school-built satellites to reach orbit, Irvine01 demonstrated that students could successfully design, build, test, and operate a functioning spacecraft with proper mentorship and support.

Mission Objectives

The primary objectives of the Irvine01 mission included:

• Demonstrating a novel electric propulsion system in low Earth orbit
• Collecting and transmitting Earth imagery
• Testing a new low-power communication system
• Providing hands-on aerospace engineering experience to high school students
• Inspiring the next generation of STEM professionals

Technical Specifications

Irvine01 featured the following specifications:

• Form Factor: 1U CubeSat (10 × 10 × 10 cm)
• Mass: 1.2 kg
• Power: Solar panels with battery backup
• Propulsion: Custom electric propulsion thruster
• Communications: UHF radio system
• Payload: Low-resolution camera and experimental sensors
• Orbit: Low Earth Orbit (LEO)

Innovative Technologies

Irvine01 incorporated several innovative technologies:

• Electric Propulsion System: A miniaturized thruster that used electrical energy to accelerate propellant
• Custom Flight Computer: Designed to operate in the harsh radiation environment of space
• Power Management System: Optimized for the limited power budget of a 1U CubeSat
• Attitude Determination and Control: Magnetorquers for orientation control

Development Process

The development of Irvine01 followed a rigorous engineering process:

• Requirements Definition: Establishing mission objectives and technical requirements
• Design Phase: Creating detailed designs for all subsystems
• Prototyping: Building and testing individual components
• Integration: Assembling the complete satellite
• Testing: Conducting environmental and functional tests
• Launch Preparation: Final checks and integration with the launch vehicle

Launch and Operations

Irvine01 was launched on [Launch Date] aboard a [Launch Vehicle] from [Launch Site]. After deployment, the satellite successfully established communication with the ground station at [Ground Station Location]. The mission operations team, consisting primarily of high school students with mentor supervision, conducted daily communication passes to monitor the satellite's health and collect mission data.

Educational Impact

Beyond its technical achievements, Irvine01 had a significant educational impact:

• Provided hands-on engineering experience to over 30 high school students
• Established a replicable model for high school space programs
• Created educational materials used in STEM classrooms
• Inspired numerous students to pursue careers in aerospace and engineering

Team and Collaborations

The Irvine01 team consisted of students from multiple Irvine high schools, working in collaboration with:

• Aerospace industry mentors
• University partners
• NASA subject matter experts
• Corporate sponsors

Legacy

Irvine01 established a foundation for future student-led space missions, including its successor, Irvine02. The program demonstrated that with proper support and mentorship, high school students can make meaningful contributions to space exploration and technology development.