Everything you need to understand nanosatellite engineering, from fundamentals to flight hardware. Free educational resources for university students and chapter members.
Structured modules that take you from CubeSat basics to building flight-ready systems. Follow them in order or jump to what you need.
The CubeSat standard, form factors (1U, 2U, 3U, 6U), history of the standard, and why nanosatellites are transforming space access for universities, startups, and governments.
Beginner 2 hrsDeep dive into the core subsystems: power (EPS), communications (comms), attitude determination and control (ADCS), command and data handling (C&DH), and structure.
Beginner 4 hrsKepler's laws, orbital elements, LEO vs. MEO vs. GEO, sun-synchronous orbits, ground track analysis, and how orbit selection impacts your mission design.
Intermediate 3 hrsSolar cell sizing, battery selection, MPPT charging, power budgets, thermal analysis, passive vs. active thermal control, and surviving eclipse cycles.
Intermediate 4 hrsDesigning and integrating your science payload or technology demonstration with the satellite bus. Interfaces, data budgets, mechanical constraints, and testing procedures.
Advanced 5 hrsFrom concept of operations (ConOps) to launch vehicle selection, rideshare opportunities, regulatory requirements (FCC, ITU), and post-deployment operations.
Advanced 5 hrsLearn from engineers, educators, and makers advancing CubeSat innovation. Tutorials and talks from university programs and open-source projects.
An accessible introduction to CubeSats and how low-cost miniature satellites are transforming access to space for science, industry, and emerging space nations.
Explores how CubeSats are democratizing access to space by enabling universities, startups, and new space nations to build affordable missions for science, Earth observation, communications, and deep space exploration.
A real-world example of a university CubeSat mission, showing how students designed, built, and tested a satellite to deploy an inflatable antenna and study the ionosphere.
A behind-the-scenes look at a student-built CubeSat mission, covering the multi-year process of designing, manufacturing, testing, launching, and operating a satellite deployed from the ISS.
A time-lapse view of the final assembly and integration process of a student-built CubeSat, showing how subsystems come together during the flight satellite build phase.
A high-level overview of how an independent builder approaches designing, planning, and launching a low-cost CubeSat mission, including early technical considerations and project strategy.
Our curriculum spans everything a student team needs to go from classroom concept to a functioning satellite.
Handpicked resources to accelerate your CubeSat education.
Connect with other Blackwing chapters, share knowledge, and collaborate on missions.
Find ChaptersMechanical, electrical, and data interface specifications for integrating payloads with the Blackwing Sparrow platform.
View Developer GuideThe official Cal Poly CubeSat Design Specification defining mechanical, electrical, and deployment standards for all CubeSat missions.
Download PDFHow NASA provides launch opportunities for university and nonprofit CubeSat missions.
Learn MoreNASA's curated collection of free mission design and orbit analysis tools used for small satellite development.
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