Welcome from the Small Satellite Design Club
The UF Small Satellite Design Club (SSDC) is a student led organization dedicated to the design, fabrication, testing, and flight of small satellite technology. The inaugural UF CubeSat mission has been nicknamed SwampSat. The SwampSat mission shall demonstrate rapid retargeting and precision pointing (R2P2) maneuvers using miniaturized control moment gyroscopes (CMGs) developed at the University of Florida (UF). Successful completion of the SwampSat mission will raise the technology readiness level (TRL) of the UF CMGs which are known as IMPAC for integrated miniature pyramidal arrangement of CMGs. SwampSat technology shall complement the establishment of the Advanced Space Technology Research and Engineering Center (ASTREC). ASTREC is a NSF I/UCRC (Industry/University Cooperative Research Center) in which more details can be found here.
Our aim is to obtain hands on experience as well as develop an experience base among undergraduate and graduate engineering students here at the University of Florida. We seek valuable relationships with other universities, government agencies, and industry related to the small satellite effort. We currently have some exciting projects underway which provide opportunities for exposing students to the satellite community. We encourage students and enthusiasts of all disciplines and years to participate in the research, design, fabrication, integration, testing & evaluation, and operation of small satellite technologies.
SSDC meetings are held regularly, typically in the office - New Engineering Building Room 185 . Please check back with us frequently.
If you would like to contribute to our projects financially or lend support in the form of materials or equipment please contact our president or visit our NEW Sponsorship page. A summary of some of our operating costs is provided.
UP COMING EVENTS
1/13/10 - SSDC/FUNSAT Meeting - MAE-A Conference Rm 221 6:00 PM
1/21/10 - Student Organizational Fair at Reitz Union Colonnade
1/27/10 - SSDC General Body Meeting
2/9/10 - Small Satellite Conference Call for Papers - Abstract Deadline
2/13/10-2/20/10 - Engineers Week (Engineering Cup Challenge)
2/15/10-2/16/10 - Engineering and Science Fair (SSDC exhibit) in Reitz Union Ballroom
2/16/10 - Small Satellite Seminar (S-cubed) Series #2 Flyer (soon to come)
3/1/10 - AGI University Grant Competition featuring Satellite ToolKit (see flyer)
3/3/10 - Florida Space Day (more information to come)
4/21/10 - FUNSAT VI Detailed Design Report Deadline
8/9/10 - 8/12/10 - AIAA Small Satellite Conference in Logan, Utah
NEWS
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1/6/09 - FUNSAT V team selected as finalists.
4/22/09 - SwampSat poster is presented at the 6th Annual CubeSat Developers Workshop
4/25/09 - UF's SwampSat performs fit check at Cal Poly - San Luis Obispo
5/09/09 - Gators win Back 2 Back FUNSAT Championships - Congrats to the UF FUNSAT V team
9/18/09 - UF FUNSAT VI team submits Letter of Intent - Please contact Mark
9/25/09 - Starry Night was an astronomical event with almost 3000 public attendees! (Mark your calendars for Friday 11/12/10 for next year)
10/16/09 -SSDC and GARC build floats and march in homecoming parade with Girls Place
11/12/09 - Small Satellite Seminar (S-cubed) Series #1 Flyer
11/13/09 - 11/14/09 - STARS Workshop hosted by Dept of Astronomy
Directions - Come visit us!
Local hotel information
From Campus
- We are located in New Engineering Building, room 185. New Engineering building is located on Center Drive. Enter campus from S.W. 13th Street (US-441) on Museum Road. Continue through the intersection of Museum Road and Center Drive and turn right into the visitor center. Parking is available in the garage on both an hourly and daily basis. Walk from the garage to the intersection of Museum Road and Center Drive. Cross the intersection at the light and continue down the hill. New Engineering building will be on your right. Campus Map
(Approximately 30 minutes from campus)- Upon leaving the Gainesville Airport, make a right turn onto 39th Avenue (SR 222), heading west. At US 441 (N.W. 13th Street) make a left turn, heading south. Continue South on 13th Street for several miles. As you approach University Avenue, you will see the Holiday Inn on your left, and directly ahead you will see Bryan Hall just off to your right. Come down to the first right turn after University Avenue and enter the parking lot at S.W. 2nd Avenue.
(Approximately 2.5 hours from UF)
- Follow the directional signs to the Florida Turnpike and ride it until it merges with I-75. Take I-75 to exit 387, Newberry Road. When you get off of the ramp go east for five miles; eventually Newberry Road becomes University Avenue (Note: You should pass the Oaks Mall on your right shortly after traveling on Newberry road.) Continue traveling East on University Ave. At the intersection of University Avenue and 13th Street take a right. Enter the parking lot at S.W. 2nd Avenue.
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(Easy way - Approximately 2.5 hours from UF)
Take I-95 South, toward Jacksonville, to I-295. Exit onto I-10 (Note: If you miss the I-295 exit, follow I-95 to where it intersects with I-10). Take I-10 West (towards Tallahassee) to I-75. Take I-75 to exit 387, Newberry Road. When you get off of the ramp go east for five miles; eventually Newberry Road becomes University Avenue (Note: You should pass the Oaks Mall on your right shortly after traveling on Newberry road.) Continue traveling East on University Ave. At the intersection of University Avenue and 13th Street take a right. Enter the parking lot at S.W. 2nd Avenue. -
(Short way - Approximately 2 hours from UF)
Take I-10 only as far as US 301 (it will be one of the early exits) at Baldwin. Head south on 301 to Waldo. CAUTION: Beware of speed traps along 301, especially in Lawtey, Starke, Hampton, and Waldo. At Waldo, take a right onto SR 24 to Gainesville (has big sign for Gainesville). Follow SR 24 to 39th Avenue/SR 222, just past the airport. Turn right (West) onto 39 Avenue heading west. At 13th Street make a left turn heading south until you arrive at S.W. 2nd Avenue and make a right into the parking lot (See - Once on Campus). Or keep straight ahead one more block to the Holiday Inn, which will be on your right.
- Take I-75 north to exit 387, Newberry Road. When you get off of the ramp go east for five miles; eventually Newberry Road becomes University Avenue (Note: You should pass the Oaks Mall on your right shortly after traveling on Newberry road.) Continue traveling East on University Ave. At the intersection of University Avenue and 13th Street take a right. Enter the parking lot at S.W. 2nd Avenue.
- Take I-75 south to exit 387, Newberry Road. When you get off of the ramp go east for five miles; eventually Newberry Road becomes University Avenue (Note: You should pass the Oaks Mall on your right shortly after traveling on Newberry road.) Continue traveling East on University Ave. At the intersection of University Avenue and 13th Street take a right. Enter the parking lot at S.W. 2nd Avenue.