CubeSat: A multidisciplinary senior design project

Abstract

Engineering and computer science programs often require a culminating senior design project. Several of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) accreditation outcomes are best demonstrated in the context of such a project. These include the ability to design a system, process or component to meet desired needs and the ability to function on a multidisciplinary team. This paper describes a recent California State University, Northridge senior design project in which engineering (computer, electrical, and mechanical) and computer science students work on a multidisciplinary team to design, build, test, and eventually launch a CubeSat carrying a research experiment. The scope of this project has provided an excellent opportunity for computer science students to collaborate with engineering students. In addition to its value as a motivational multidisciplinary project, the project has given students an opportunity to collaborate with local industry on an actual mission that will be launched into space. © American Society for Engineering Education, 2013.