The Schools Satellite Project (SSP) is intended to enable a cohort of high schools worldwide to design, construct, launch and fly a small satellite – also called a Nano Satellite or Cube Satellite.
Access to space has never been more accessible than it is today. We live in a truly exciting era in which space is no longer the preserve of a few space-faring nations. Satellites are becoming smaller and less expensive, yet more powerful in what they can do. Rockets to launch them are becoming greener, using cleaner fuels with consequent lower impact on the Earth’s environment. This is the era of Space 4.0 where all nations can now help to solve problems they face using new satellite and rocket technologies.
The SSP project takes advantage of these developments and adds one critical extra element into the mix – the wonderfully creative minds of young people across the globe. Harnessing your collective thoughts and ideas, we will push the boundaries of what’s possible with a small satellite and inspire the next generation of humans who will use space for the good of us all.
The project will allow high school students to have direct experience building and flying a small satellite and using satellites to collect data for analysis. By creating this enabling environment, students will have the opportunity to gain some experience in the design, construction and operation of a satellite. This will include designing the mission objectives, including designing the instrumentation on the satellite which will collect data to fulfil the mission objectives. A key component of the project will be to allow students to design the projects but the broad domain areas will include satellite navigation and earth observation.
In pursuing its objectives, SSP will engage with key enabling stakeholders including universities, industry bodies including satellite manufacturers and space agencies and others involved in the operation of satellites.
The broad timeframe for the project is as follows:
September 2021- June 2022 SSP satellite design
September 2022- June 2023 SSP construction
1 July 2023 SSP mission launch by Spanish EU Council Presidency
June 2023-May 2024 SSP mission
At time of writing, February 2022, the above schedule is indicative.
Participation in the design phase of the project is now open to schools from around the world through our Participate tab. The project is constructed in a way to allow students to participate in different phases at different times, recognising that a long-term commitment by any one student will be difficult.
The project is designed to fit in with curricula and offer participation modules providing positive inputs to different areas of school curricula, including science, medications technologies, computer skills, data analytics, coding, project management, team working, English language skills, amongst others.