Over the last 40 years space satellite technology has revolutionized our spatial perspective of global systems. The view from earth orbit by an increasingly diversified suite of instruments is providing a range of information for basic research to the millions of people watching weather on their television sets. But spaceflight is not cheap and the environment is harsh. Satellite platforms usually take years to design, build and launch resulting in astronomical costs and research programs placed in stand-by mode.

Mississippi State University's Geosystems Research Institute (GRI) has created a small satellite (SmallSat) program designed to change space economics using rapidly-designed and small-built satellites derived from proven commercial off-the-shelf Earth-observing technology. This approach makes flight missions dramatically more affordable for customers who: have budgets that must stretch ever further or couldn’t afford satellite-based missions.

Education and Outreach
To compliment SmallSat, the Bagley College of Engineering at MSU is now teaching classes on small satellite engineering and design. The academic program is an interdisciplinary one in that it involves the departments of Aerospace Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering, and Industrial and Systems Engineering. Students graduating with an emphasis in satellite engineering will increase their marketability within the growing satellite industry.

For information about the small satellite engineering classes available at MSU, please contact:
Dr. Burak Eksioglu at beksioglu@ise.msstate.edu.