Educational Benefits of a Brazilian Student Satellite Program
- Paper number
IAC-07-B4.1.07
- Author
Mr. Fernando Stancato, Escola Politecnica - Universidade de Sao Paulo, Brazil
- Year
2007
- Abstract
Nowadays it is very common that universities use micro and nano satellites as a tool in engineering education. But, this uses to happen in developed countries where already exists a critical mass on the aerospace engineering formation and industry structure. On other hand, few are the developing nations that have been done investments in practical aerospace educational activities. The present article shows the educational and industrial benefits and experiences of a seven year student nano satellite program in Brazil. This activities started in 2000 when a research group was formed with teachers and graduation students from two universities in Londrina, Brazil. After three years the first Brazilian university satellite was done, called the UNOSAT. Unfortunately, it was destroyed in a accident with the Brazilian rocket launcher, VLS 1. The program continued with the possibility to launch a nanosat with a Ukrainian micro satellite. A test prototype was done and a flying module is been finished. In 2005 it was organized an international workshop in small satellite. The Brazilian students had the opportunity to interact with other students that were conducting similar universities projects. It is commented the development of the activities, the difficulties and solutions implemented and the educational and development benefits to Brazil. Spin-offs from the program were the creation of two aerospace businesses and the beginning of a national university micro satellite program by the Brazilian Space Agency.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-07-B4.1.07.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
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