SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, Calif. — After many delays, a satellite built by University of Maine System students is about to launch into space.
The project, a collaboration by engineering teams at UMaine and the University of Southern Maine, has been five years in the making. The satellite will carry payloads designed by middle school and high school students in Falmouth, Fryeburg, and Saco.
The goal is to study climate change, including solar infrared radiation and algae blooms.
The satellite is set to launch no earlier than Monday, July 1, at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, but the data will be transmitted back to Maine.
The project is part of NASA's Cube Sat Launch Initiative, through a partnership with the Maine Space Grant Consortium.
Those behind the project say it's about making sure our state doesn't miss out on the future of a space economy.
"We hope this project will get students excited about the space economy, and hopefully we can make Maine one of the leaders in this area," Dr. Ali Abedi, the UMaine professor, leading the project, said.
"The opportunity to develop new industries and new economy and growing economy in the state," Dr. Terry Shehata, executive director of the Maine Space Grant Consortium, explained. "We can't afford not to get onto the train as quickly as possible."
To learn more about the project and launch, click here.