The Husky Satellite Lab (HSL) is a student-run organization and undergraduate research and development lab at the University of Washington. We work on novel technology, space payloads, and active missions for CubeSats.

HSL has around 100 members working on various aspects of satellite developments.

We are currently working on several projects, including HuskySat-2 (HS-2), which is set to launch in 2027-2028. We're also developing HuskySat-3 (HS-3), a mission to explore lunar lava tubes. Additionally, our Propulsion R&D Division is designing ground-breaking propulsion systems for CubeSats. Please check out our Divisions tab to learn more about these Divisions!

HSL applications for the 2025-2026 academic year will open on September 15th and remain open until October 10th. Applications and interviews will be processed on a rolling schedule, so it's recommended to apply early. This rolling application process will be clearly communicated to all applicants.

The application process consists of:

• A general application form
  • General HSL application questions
  • For the Business, Propulsion R&D, and HuskySat-3 (HS-3) Divisions, Division-specific questions
  • For the HuskySat-2 (HS-2) Division, Subsystem-specific questions depending on which team(s) you're interested in joining
• Interview scheduling (one interview for each Division and/or HS-2 subsystem you apply to)
• Interviews will be conducted (online or in-person) as soon as the Division or HS-2 Subsystem Lead is able to review your application!
• Acceptance decisions will be sent out by the HSL secretaries on the week of October 13th
• The first member meeting will be held at the end of October, and location will be communicated to new members via email

In addition to the fall application period, HSL may also accept applications for the Spring quarter based on our Divisions' needs. If you miss these application windows, you can still submit your information, but it will only be reviewed during the designated application periods or under special circumstances

According to our records, our application pool is typically quite competitive. We select members based on their skills, enthusiasm, and potential contribution to the team.

HSL has several divisions open for applications including:

• Business
• HuskySat-2 (HS-2)
• HuskySat-3 (HS-3)
• Propulsion R&D

Each has different technical focuses and project scopes.

The required skills vary by Division but we make sure everyone is brought up to speed no matter if you have worked on robotics your whole life or are just learning how to code. Having relevant coursework or experience is helpful, but enthusiasm and willingness to learn are equally important.

While your major doesn't have to match the team you're applying to, your experience, passion, and coursework should align with the team's focus. Every team offers diverse interdisciplinary opportunities regardless of your field of study.

We welcome you to apply again in future cycles! Reapplying shows dedication, and we encourage you to develop relevant technical skills and experience in the meantime.

Nope, there's no difference! Teams, subsystems, and committees all refer to the same thing within a division: specialized sub-groups focused on specific areas. They simply have different names depending on the division to provide better context for each group's function.

HSL holds general meetings as well as Division- and Subsystem-specific meetings. General member meetings take place every two weeks. Your Division or HS-2 Subsystem Lead will inform you of their project-specific meeting times and locations. If you cannot attend, you're expected to communicate with your lead.

We understand that conflicts arise. Communication is key - let your subsystem lead know if you need to miss meetings. Regular attendance is important, but we're all students and we know you have a lot on your plates! We'll work with members to accommodate reasonable absences.

HSL primarily uses:

• Slack for team communication
• Notion for primary information documentation and storage
• Google Drive for secondary information documentation and storage

New members are added to these platforms after joining.

Yes, members can request to transfer to a different subsystem. This should be discussed with both your current and prospective subsystem leads and typically happen at the beginning of the quarter.

You can reach out to:

• Your Division or Subsystem Lead
• The HSL co-presidents
• The HSL secretaries
• [email protected]

Please see the team's page for their direct contacts!