CAPE 1

CAPE 1 [University of Louisiana]

The University of Louisiana at Lafayette launched its first earth orbiting satellite, CAPE1 (Cajun Advanced Picosat Experiment 1). The purpose of this satellite was to gather data while orbiting in space and transmit this data to the ground station on the UL at Lafayette campus. The team of engineering students will run experiments and maintain the satellite while in orbit.

The CubeSat idea originated from Stanford University when a professor by the name of Bob Twiggs challenged his students to create satellites that followed CubeSat guidelines. The guidelines put forth by Professor Twiggs required that each satellite weigh up to 1 kg enclosed in a 10 cm cubic structure.

The students working on this project hope to accomplish a greater understanding of satellite technology that goes beyond the classroom. The team also hopes to show that the University of Louisiana at Lafayette has many great opportunities in the College of Engineering.