CubeSat

The UMass CubeSat initiative within the Riccio College of Engineering is a new multidisciplinary group focused on providing experiential learning and research opportunities for both undergraduate and graduate students. Led by faculty advisors and graduate student leaders, UMass CubeSat aims to develop innovative, high-impact research payloads in the small form factor of CubeSats. These compact, self-contained satellites are built from modular 10cm × 10cm × 10cm units that can be stacked to form larger configurations. They support various space applications—including remote sensing and climate monitoring—by integrating power, communication, data storage, and payload systems within a unified, modular architecture. 

UMass CubeSat’s initial mission is to enable real-time hyperspectral sensing with onboard intelligence, bringing machine learning and hyperspectral remote sensing to the CubeSat platform. Since CubeSat development typically spans multiple years, this first phase at UMass Amherst is centered on constructing and testing an airborne prototype locally. The project brings together expertise from multiple engineering disciplines, offering a collaborative platform for students to gain hands-on experience in satellite design, testing, and mission planning.