In the past, small satellite projects, such as the various Cubesat projects from the Space Systems Laboratory, have received ground support from established stations owned and operated by the manufacturers of the radios aboard the spacecraft. The objective of this project is to design and implement a new ground station system for MIT utilizing low-cost components and striving for ease of access, ease of use, ease of maintenance, and low cost of maintenance. The intent of the MIT ground station is to provide simpler and more direct access to ground operations for MIT’s satellite projects, including transmitting commands and receiving basic data.

The summer prior to beginning my SuperUROP, I was able to UROP with the SSL and begin gaining experience with Cubesat development. This has kindled my interest in satellite design and the huge network of resources needed to ensure a successful mission. I’m extremely excited to have the opportunity to contribute to this area of research!