LAFAYETTE — CAPE 3 is one three satellites that the school of Engineering at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette has successfully launched into space since 2007.
A solar-powered “CubeSat” created by UL Lafayette's CAPE Satellite Team will measure radiation levels in space. It was sent skyward Sunday from the Mojave Air and Space Port in California during NASA’s Educational Launch of Nanosatellites (ELaNa).
Read more about the satellite here.
"One of the things we're doing is developing an astronaut wearable radiation detector that astronauts can wear to determine their radiation dosage on the International Space Station," says faculty advisor, Dr. Paul Darby.
The satellite will also be helping grade-school student around the world.
"We're also wanting to allow greater access around the world by any kid with a smartphone, that could communicate with the cloud, to get access to our satellite."
CAPE 3 will not only be beneficial for young students in their science classes. The involvement of students at UL pursuing a career in electrical engineering and computer science in the satellite project has given them a head start on their future.
"I think that being able to show that you've had real hands on experience developing things that are actually going to be used in the real world, rather than just a project that you're doing for class, really shows your employer that you know how to work with other people, that you know how to meet deadlines, and overcome random challenges that are thrown your way." says UL alumni, Nolan Edwards.
CAPE industry mentor, Nick Pugh, says that CAPE 4 is in the works which will be a project conducted by high school students and will launch six satellites into space.
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