Building a satellite is a highly interdisciplinary undertaking.

There are two main types of work:

1. Engineering: designing and building the satellite, including software, electronics, and hardware
2. Business: managing documentation, resources, and interactions

You do not need to be familiar with all of the topics listed! Instead, consider it a guide for the kinds of work and projects that would best fit you based on your interest in learning those topics. Previous experience is a bonus.

For example, if you are interested in controls engineering and have taken courses on circuits and differential equations, you might enjoy the software and electrical work on Reaction Wheels & Magnetorquers.

Engineering link

Some topics are relevant to engineering work on all satellite systems, while some systems encounter specialized topics.

The following topics are relevant to all systems:

• Software: embedded systems, computer science, math
• Electrical: circuits, PCB design
• Mechanical: mechanical CAD, fabrication, simulation

The following sections have brief descriptions of what each system does, and what additional, specialized topics are encountered within each system.

Star & Earth Trackers

Determines the orientation and position of the satellite by taking and processing photos of Earth and the stars.

• Software: C++, linear algebra, data structures & algorithms
• Electrical: digital cameras
• Mechanical: optics

Reaction Wheels & Magnetorquers

Point the satellite at targets using reaction wheels (spinning flywheels) and magnetorquers (electromagnets).

• Software: controls engineering/control theory, physics (mechanics), differential equations
• Electrical: power electronics, electric motors, physics (electromagnetism)
• Mechanical: motors & flywheels, vibration analysis

Propulsion

Changes the orbit of the satellite using a rocket engine.

• Software: controls engineering, robotics
• Electrical: power electronics, actuators
• Mechanical: fluid simulations, general familiarity with rocket engines

Communications

Send and receive data and commands using a radio that's connected to an antenna on the satellite.

• Software: networks, encoding/decoding and compression
• Electrical: antenna design, radio communication
• Mechanical: N/A

Command & Data Handling

The central computer that manages data and commands for all other systems on the satellite.

• Software: system architecture, networks
• Electrical: computer design, advanced PCB design
• Mechanical: N/A

Solar Panels

Generate power for the satellite through deployable solar panels.

• Software: N/A
• Electrical: power electronics, solar panels
• Mechanical: packaging deployable mechanisms in tight spaces

Power Distribution

Store power generated by the solar panels in battery banks and provide stable power to other systems.

• Software: software for power electronics
• Electrical: power electronics, batteries
• Mechanical: N/A

Structures

Hold all other systems in place while prioritizing manufacturability and ease of maintenance, as well as mechanical work for primarily non-mechanical systems (communications, command & data handling, etc.)

• Software: N/A
• Electrical: N/A
• Mechanical: materials science, system integration

Ground Station

A ground-based interface for controlling the satellite and receiving data from it when it is in space.

• Software: UI/UX design, communication, networks
• Electrical: radio communications, desktop computers & ground-based electronics
• Mechanical: designing an organized workspace

Business link

Successfully getting a satellite to space takes more than good engineering.

It also takes good business administration: feedback, proposals, finance, and outreach are all critical to an enjoyable and productive team culture. Thus, you don't need to be an engineer or scientist to make a big impact at HSL! Of course, folks working on business are always welcome to explore technical work, and vice versa.

Mission Reviews

A key part of the mission's success is running regular reviews of our mission with external reviewers to find potential issues and solutions to them early on. That includes a Merit Review (ensuring our mission has a good scientific and/or technological value) as well as a Feasibility Review (can we pull it off?).

• Connecting with industry professionals to organize review meetings
• Becoming familiar with all aspects of our team, mission, and satellite's design
• Planning collection and application of feedback, especially seeking critical feedback about our mission

Mission Proposals

In order to obtain funding and a launch slot to get to space, we submit mission proposals to NASA & other organizations describing our mission's vision, the value of the mission, and our plan for executing it.

• Writing a detail-oriented in-depth report on our mission plan
• Seeing and working with all aspects of the mission
• Carefully ensuring requirements are met for a high-stakes paper

Funding, Sponsor Relations, and Purchasing

Solid financial organization is necessary for the success of the HSL. We are funded through a combination of grants and sponsorships, and we need to carefully account for and communicate our use of resources throughout the mission.

• Finding new sources of funding
• Letting existing supporters know how their resources are being put to use
• Managing budgets and purchases

Marketing, Communications, and Recruiting

It would be fantastic if more of the world knew about the cool work we do! Whether it's communicating with people who are already interested in the HSL or finding people who are not yet aware of our team, outreach is important.

• Managing our online presence (website, social media, newsletter)
• Making materials that promote the team and our work (videos, posters, etc.)
• Connecting interested people with our team