Cherry blossoms are in full bloom ver in these parts and with them an exciting new chapter for the Husky Satellite Lab (HSL). As campus wakes up for the season, our team is already in motion, pushing forward on some wickedly cool projects and missions.

Before we charge full speed into Spring, we’ve got some major updates to share from our latest endeavors and recent milestones heading into Spring 2026.

From NASA programs to new membership applications, let’s jump right in!

HS-2: Spring Interim Review and F’

Though HS-2 finished their PDR review in the fall, the team has not been slowing down! Throughout Spring quarter, HS-2 has been preparing for The Spring Interim Review (SIR), an interim review with our sponsors and mentors at The University Nanosatellite Program. In this presentation, the Payload, Electrical Power System (EPS), and Communications subsystems shared their current progress and received valuable feedback on key questions and areas for improvement.

In addition to these reviews, members of the HS-2 Division (as seen in the image above) had the opportunity to attend the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory Flight Software/F´ Development Workshop in Pasadena, California. There, they developed key skills in F´, a software framework designed for the rapid development and deployment of spaceflight, embedded systems, and instrumentation. The HS-2 team has since been sharing this knowledge with subsystem members and has begun implementing the framework across CubeSat software systems.

As Spring continues, much of their hardware is arriving, which means lot more activity in the lab as testing and system design for summer test assemblies.

PHAT-3: Spring Quarter Launch??

The PHAT-3 project will be wrapping up in just a few weeks, and the team has been making steady progress toward final preparations. We recently pulled the helium transportation stand out of storage and gave it a thorough cleanup and inspection to ensure it is ready for safe and reliable use during launch operations. This marks an exciting step forward as we transition from development and preparation into the final operational phase of the project.

At the moment, we have not yet finalized a launch date or location, but that decision should be coming very soon as coordination with logistics and safety teams continues. Right now, a major focus is on completing the remaining safety paperwork and finalizing operating procedures to make sure all systems and processes meet required standards. Once these items are finished, we will be in a strong position to move forward with scheduling and executing the launch.

Overall, the project is coming together well, and we are looking forward to closing out PHAT-3 with a safe and successful launch in the near future!

HS-3: Concept and Systems Reviews

HS-3 hit the ground running in Winter Quarter, diving into orbital simulations, mission operations, ground penetrating radar analysis, satellite budgets, and overall mission requirements. Alongside this work, we are excited to announce that the team is hosting a UW Aeronautics and Astronautics Senior Capstone Project focused on the design and development of the Ground Penetrating Radar System. With guidance from our Science team and the support of the senior capstone group, we are aiming to finish Spring Quarter with a well-defined radar system that meets the extreme constraints of the HS-3 mission.

Along with the capstone developments, the team hosted two design reviews this Winter, leading up to the Concept and Systems Review in early March. During this review, members from across the HSL Divisions, along with mentors from Aerospace Corp, Boeing, and Northrop Grumman provided valuable feedback on our mission outline and current allocated budgets. It was an exciting opportunity for growth and collaboration across teams.

Now, with a firm outline of mission goals, objectives, and budgets, the Division is preparing to open additional subsystems, including structures, flight computer, thermals, and more, as the project moves into the next phase of CubeSat design. The momentum is building, and the mission is starting to take shape. Keep an eye on the moon, folks!

Propulsion Division: ORBITS and Papers Galore

The Propulsion Division had a huge quarter packed with exciting developments and is charging full speed toward some awesome goals this Spring. Over the past quarter, Electrolysis officially kicked into high gear, surpassing two preliminary designs while developing a nearly complete thermodynamic analysis script and expanding the team. The Solar Sail team joined a NASA space competition, the NASA ORBITS Challenge, with the long-term goal of publishing research papers and submitting proposals to secure major NASA-backed funding. Additionally, the team is deep in research and analysis as they work toward their first paper in the coming month. The Hot Gas team completed both a design review and a test readiness review for their superheater (vaporization chamber) proof of concept. They plan to wrap up designs to build a test rig for this critical and complex system component. Meanwhile Electrospray delivered a system concept and design review this quarter while pushing forward on preliminary system design and beginning more advanced fluid analysis, attitude control algorithms, and overall system fidelity improvements. Finally, the Bi-Propellant team focused heavily on engine fluid analysis using NASA CEA, advanced thermodynamic modeling, and the development of innovative propellant feeding system concepts.

Looking ahead to Spring Quarter, the division is shifting towards growth, testing, and deeper technical development across all teams:

• Electrolysis and Electrospray are both planning team expansions while continuing to refine their thermodynamic and fluid analysis work

• Hot Gas is moving toward building and testing its superheater rig

• Solar Sail is pushing to publish its first research paper and advance NASA competition proposals

• Bi-Propellant will continue strengthening its engine modeling and feeding system design

Overall, the Propulsion Division is entering Spring with strong momentum, growing teams, and a clear focus on turning complex propulsion concepts into tested and publishable engineering work.

Business Division: Funding, Cameras, Action

The Business Division has been running at full throttle this past quarter! Right after the holidays, the team launched the HSL Crowdfunding Campaign and completely blew past our $1,000 goal in just one month. To every community member who donated, thank you. We truly could not do this work without your support. To celebrate, we have cookies, stickers, a special video montage, and of course some good old punishments for the Co-Presidents on the way, so keep an eye on our Instagram (@huskysatlab) to see it all unfold.

Beyond crowdfunding, the team also secured industry sponsorships with Blue Origin, Stoke Space, and Janicki Industries. In addition to sponsorships, the lab had the honor to host over 15 engineering and business leads from Safran Aerospace within our lab early March. We are incredibly grateful for these partnerships and for the companies that continue to encourage innovation and student-led engineering at HSL. Their support helps turn big ideas into real systems and real opportunities for our members.

To help showcase all of this amazing work, the Business team has been behind the camera with lights, microphones, and plenty of energy, recording division-specific promotion videos. These videos will highlight the research and development happening across HSL, from propulsion advancements and HS-3 radar systems to HS-2 operations and the behind-the-scenes work that keeps everything moving. Stay tuned later this quarter to get a closer look at the people and technology driving HSL forward.

Community outreach has also been a major focus. HSL Business has been working with partners at The Seattle Museum of Flight and local nonprofits like Degh Tegh Community Kitchens to bring CubeSat technology and space engineering to the Seattle community. Through hands-on engagement and educational events, the team continues to share the excitement of space with students, families, and future engineers across the region.

The division has also been working to build a stronger and more connected lab culture. This quarter featured a new line of HSL merchandise and our quarterly HSL Social Movie Night, complete with a President ice bucket challenge. Yes, it was snowing and raining, and yes, it was every bit as cold as you might imagine 🥶, but it made for a memorable night and plenty of laughs.

Looking ahead to Spring Quarter, the Business Division is not slowing down. The team will continue engaging with the community through UW Admitted Students Day, UW Discovery Days, and additional Seattle Museum of Flight visits. Promotion videos will be wrapped up, new industry partnerships will be pursued, and the division will keep supporting every team at HSL as they push forward with their technologies. The momentum is strong, and the best is still to come!

Ready to Join In With The Team?

It’s official, Husky Satellite Lab Spring Applications are now open! If you are an undergraduate or graduate student at UW who wants to gain hands on engineering experience, create aerospace industry connections, and push the boundaries of CubeSat technology, apply today via the link below. HS-3, HS-2, and Propulsion Division are the Divisions open to hire and APPLICATIONS ARE ACCEPTED TILL APRIL 5th, 11:59PM.

Application Link

Well that was A LOT of cool info wasn’t it? But don’t worry, HSL has so much more in store over the next quarter. We can’t wait to continue sharing our news and updates here on the HSL Newsletter.

If you are interested in providing assistance to help us complete our missions, please fill out this interest form.

Thanks for reading Husky Satellite Lab Newsletter! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and stay updated.

Subscribe now

Greetings Husky Satellite Lab Community!

Welcome to 2026, where we hope you all are starting the new year on a great start. We at Husky Satellite Lab (HSL) have had quite the past few months, so before we start trail blazing through Winter Quarter we’d like to take some time to give some explosive updates on our endeavors and escapades in Autumn 2025.

So, without further ado, let’s jump right in, shall we?

HOLD UP!
HSL’s Crowdfunding Campaign Beings TODAY

With four divisions, two satellite missions, experimental balloon launches, and cutting edge propulsion research, HSL is booming with student engineering experiences going into 2026. To support our incredible students and the work they do, we at HSL are excited to announce that our Winter Crowdfunding Campaign has officially kicked off!

Whether you’re a family member of a current member, an HSL alumni, a student or staff member at the University, or a wonderful person excited to help the next generations of engineers, please consider making a donation. All proceeds will go directly to getting tools and resources to our students and their incredible missions.

Any donation would be appreciated, and if you’re ready to help us reach the stars (literally), please donate to the AA Make A Gift Page under the A&A Cubesat (AACT) Fund. Our goal this campaign is to bring in $1,000 by January 31st so spread the word and lookout on our socials (LinkedIn and Instagram) for updates on progress and milestone prizes!

Donate Today!

HS-2 and the Preliminary Design Review

This was a very momentous quarter for the HS-2 crew as they wrote, submitted, and presented the Preliminary Design Review (PDR) for the HuskySat-2 mission as part of the University Nanosatellite Program! It was an invaluable experience to have engineers from the Air Force Research Laboratory, Blue Origin, and Space Dynamics Laboratory review their work and share technical feedback on the mission.

Now that the Autumn quarter is a wrap, the division plans on working towards the Critical Design Review (CDR), focusing on the final build-ready specifications, drawings, and Bill of Materials (BOM) before manufacturing and testing of a Flat Sat and growing ever closer to launch.

PHAT-3 Ramping Up To Completion

The original plan was to launch PHAT-3, our latest high altitude balloon, by the end of Autumn 2025, but unforeseen delays when purchasing our latex balloon and high-altitude parachute have pushed that launch date to early Spring of 2026. This delay was not without benefits, though. Spring is generally a better time to launch a balloon due to more favorable weather conditions. After much hard work by Marc Alwan and Marcin Anforowicz, we now have the payload mostly programmed, with additional features, such as relaying static images and GPS data over LoRa radio, planned for Winter 2026. The payload antenna is also getting an upgrade. Shriya Tiku is incorporating a longer 915MHz whip antenna near the bottom of the payload for extended communication ranges. Now that HSL has its own 3D printer, development cycle time has decreased as well. The current goals for PHAT-3 over Winter 2026 are as followed:

• Program additional payload software features and improve error handling

• Write a basic ground station program to save downlinked data

• Test payload across larger distances (i.e. campus) using a YAGI antenna with the ground station code

• Finish 915MHz whip antenna design and selfie camera mounts

• Reprint all mechanical parts and complete final payload assembly with preflight checks

• Manufacture our own inflation nozzle for filling the latex balloon

• Finalize transport and launch logistics for Spring 2026

By the end of Winter Quarter, PHAT-3 will be ready to launch in the Spring of 2026!

HS-3 Analysis Cycles + Joining A New Program

HS-3, our lunar orbiting satellite mission, has truly gotten on its feet this quarter. As the newest mission to the HSL roster, the Division is taking a novel approach to mission design and planning via the “ Design Analysis Cycle” mission planning framework. A design analysis cycle is an iterative process used to shape and improve a mission design by making a shared set of assumptions, analyzing the mission against them, and refining the results. The team first agrees on key objectives and “fair” initial parameters, then works through the mission as if those assumptions are correct. This keeps all teams aligned and working from the same baseline.

As analyses are completed, errors, conflicts, or unrealistic assumptions are identified. The parameters are then adjusted in a reasonable way, clearly communicated to everyone, and the process is repeated. The cycle helps to catch major issues and converge on a realistic, well-informed mission design, with systems, science, and orbital teams each contributing from their domain.

Using this framework, the division has made extensive progress on their overall mission parameters. But that’s not all that’s fueling the division! In September, HS-3 officially joined the C3: COSMIC Capstone Challenge, a competition between College teams throughout the nation to develop conceptual missions & designs for spacecraft operations on the lunar surface and in lunar orbit. Paired with exceptional mentors including Victor Lin (from the Aerospace Cooperation) and Tim Kienberger (the CEO of Kien Space Ventures), the division presented their first mission presentations for C3 reviewers in December, gaining valuable feedback on their mission narrative and mission parameters which they plan to dive into this quarter. Check out more about C3 by clicking on the button below!

Learn about COSMIC

Propulsion Updates

Missions concept definitions complete! FIVE systems in the works, each with a novel and groundbreaking vision! Our Electrospray team is aiming to make extreme improvements to the accuracy of attitude control on CubeSats in order to enable future astrophysical and cosmic research. Solar sail is making headway by investigating creative deployment mechanisms and sail materials for long-range-long-period maneuvers. Monopropellant and Hot Gas teams are going green with the use of more environmentally friendly sources of propulsion while maintaining high reliability in system performance! Electrolysis is aiming to redefine what’s possible for large CubeSat maneuvers through a water-based bipropellant system. The teams are all working on parallel pipelines of requirement analysis, thermodynamic analysis, and design. Additionally, first principle analysis, schematics, and designs of all systems have been completed. Teams are progressing rapidly and efficiently, some working towards publishing papers while others are getting closer to their first prototypes!

To Space and Back, Welcome Home CHNOOK

On September 24th, 2025, the payload mission known as Mission CHNOOK (which was launched with Blue Origin on September 18th, 2025) was successfully received and opened by HSL members. All components were undamaged, including the delicate DNA Origami Experiment and HS-2 structural components. As of now, the biology experiments are being tested at the University of Victoria, while the remaining payload elements (including the Husky plush, SD card, name list, and HS-2 structural components) are being secured within the lab. This won’t be the last for CHNOOK’s ventures, so stay tuned!

Watch the Launch Here!

HSL Business and New Industry / Community Engagement

Running off the success of CHNOOK, HSL’s Business Division has been ramping up the community and social engagement. The Lab was honored to welcome recruiters and engineers from SpaceX, Blue Origin, and Anduril to forge connections with our members looking for internships and industry experience. In addition to outreach fairs, the lab has been fortunate to begin building relations with the Seattle Museum of Flight. In December, outreach members tabled at the Museums’ First Thursday Open house, where they interacted with Seattle community members on everything CubeSat. Keep a lookout for more partnerships between our organizations in the future!

HSL also had the opportunity to send both of its presidents, Erika Wood and Rassa Modares, to speak at SpaceVision2025 on the CubeSat Technology Panel, representing the Husky Satellite Lab at the University of Washington. Along with University presenters Garrett Stevenson, and Shelby Mathews, they discussed the current role of Cube Satellite technologies within UW and insight into running satellite operations at an undergraduate and graduate level.

In addition to industry engagements, the lab has been active on campus during recruiting season, interacting with students across the University through THE CEO Engineering Launch and HSL community workshops.

In Winter Quarter, HSL will be launching a new outreach program under the new HSL Ambassadors Program featuring a variety of engaging events and interactive opportunities designed specifically for K–College audiences. If you are a K–College educator interested in getting your students more involved with CubeSats and space, we encourage you to reach out to us at cubesat@uw.edu, we’d be happy to connect!

HSL Autumn Fundraisers

Last quarter, HSL had two nifty fundraiser events to raise money to keep our lab healthy and trailblazing the future of space tech. One of those fundraisers was the HSL Chipotle Fundraiser, which raised over 200 dollars for lab initiates (way to go team!). In addition to Chipotle, HSL ran a Pie a Lead Fundraiser in December, which raised a total of 250 dollars for lab initiatives and missions. When all the votes were cast, the HS-2 Chief Engineer, Catherine Collison, and one of the lab Presidents, Rassa Modares, were voted to be heroically pied in the face.

Thank you to everyone who supported the fundraisers (and thanks Catherine and Rassa for being willing to be pied!).

More Things To Look Forward To In Winter Quarter

New Winter Quarter Opening at HSL

HSL is excited to announce that we will be looking to onboard a new position in Winter Quarter. The HSL Auditor, under the Business Division, application will be announced on LinkedIn in the next coming weeks. Other technical positions in different divisions may be offered as well.

So, if you’re an aspiring student at the University of Washington pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree, please consider applying. These application will be open till filled, so don’t wait to apply when they open!

HSL MERCH?!?!?!

Sweatshirts, T-Shirts, and stickers… that’s right, it’s almost time to purchase your HSL merchandise on sale in late January. Keep an eye on our socials when the products go on sale and get ready to gear up in all that HSL swag 😎.

And So Much More

Well that was A LOT of cool info wasn’t it? But don’t worry, HSL has so much more in store over the next quarter. We can’t wait to continue sharing our news and updates here on the HSL Newsletter.

If you are interested in providing assistance to help us complete our missions, please fill out this interest form.

Thanks for reading Husky Satellite Lab Newsletter! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and stay updated.

Greetings Husky Satellite Community!

It’s been a bit since our last post and a lot has happened over the past few months at HSL. From the development of HSL Divisions to new missions and connections, we’ve been amping up our satellite connections here at UW and across the nation! With that in mind, on this quarters newsletter, let’s catch you up on our activity over the past year including what’s in store for the 2025-2026 year at HSL.

So hold onto your solar panels and get ready your thrusters; let’s get started!

Four Divisions but One Lab

Last year, our team grew into 4 very distinct groups of projects/missions. As such, the admin team agreed that the formation of separate divisions within HSL was justified to provide more internal structure, direction, and excitement within the lab. The divisions are separated as followed:

1. HS-2 Division

2. HS-3 Division

3. Propulsion R&D Division

4. Business Division

Special Note But ALL DIVISIONS are currently onboarding new members during the Autumn Quarter Recruiting Cycle. If you are/know an undergraduate or graduate student at UW and want to push the boundaries of aerospace, spread the word and click on the link below to apply!!

APPLY TO HSL

Of course there are some missions (like CHNOOK which we’ll get to in a bit) that extend beyond the scope of these divisions, but generally each division has a specific mission or focus area of expertise. With that in mind, let’s do some deeper dives and updates on each division, shall we?

HS-2 Division: Flagship CubeSat Mission of HSL

The Mission of HS-2

As one of our largest missions with over 70+ members, HS-2 has been a major focus mission for the lab over the past few years. In Fall Quarter of 2024, we, along with other universities teams from across the US, received roughly 300,000 dollars from the University Nanosatellite Program (UNP) to build the first stages of our novel satellite. With this financial and mentorship backing, we’ve been off to the races since.

As a refresher on HS-2, it’s mission is to deploy a 3U CubeSat to a 400-600km orbit above the Earth in what is called Low Earth Orbit (LEO). The payload of this satellite is a completely novel GPS-Independent tracking system called LOST and FOUND created in house at HSL. LOST is a type of star tracker which uses the images of the stars to gain a trajectory and location, while FOUND maps the curvature of the Earth to determine an altitude and coordinate. Together, they are a powerhouse of a system that we hope to test and rate the performance of using images captured from both systems and downlinked to our ground station here at The University of Washington (fancy right?).

There are 9 different subsystems in total that cover the development of HS-2, each critical for mission execution and success:

• Structures

• Thermals

• ADCS (Attitude Determination and Control System)

• EPS (Electrical Power System)

• Horizon Tracker (FOUND team)

• Star Tracker (LOST team)

• Payload

• CDH (Command and Data Handling)

• CGS (Communications and Ground Software)

What Has HS-2 Been Up To?

This is a huge mission, one our team has been hard at work developing these past few years. So far, we’ve gone through 3 different reviews with UNP: SCR (System Concept Review), SSR (System Requirement Review), PMR (Program Management Review), with PDR (Program Deliverable Review) presentations right around the corner in later autumn.

The summer was a busy time for this division as HSL had a paid opportunity for some HS-2 Division members to complete a tremendous amount of work on the satellite. In addition to furthering CAD designs, simulations, and solidifying hundreds of requirements in the RVM (Reference Verification Documents), a small team went to Salt Lake City Utah for one of the largest small sat conferences in the country: Small Sat.

The team, consisting of Catherine Collision (Chief Engineer of HS-2), Cameron Lee (Program Manager of HS-2), Josh Lando (FOUND and Payload Lead of HS-2) Emma Miner (System’s Engineer for HS-2), not only did some awesome networking and tabling at the event but also gave the Program Management Review (PMR) presentation to a board of high ranking UNP personal.

Now, as of September 29th, the team has submitted their PDR documentation which took the sweat and grease from the whole summer team. Good work crew!

Where Are They Heading This Quarter?

With PDR deliverables out of the way, the entire division will be focusing on PDR presentations happening in our labs facilities at the end of Autumn Quarter (just a few months away!). Along with continuing CAD work for structures, Ansys simulation testing for thermals, and program debugging for LOST and FOUND, the division will be prepping for the next structural milestone, the HS-2 FlatSat, within the next year.

Check out A Live Demo of LOST

HS-2 Division Mission: PHAT-3 High Altitude Balloon Launch

HS-2 has a major focus on the satellite, but to really test the infrastructure and some of the key components of said CubeSat, active testing is a MUST. That is why we are very excited to be launching our next high altitude balloon, PHAT-3.

Giving the HS-2 members active work on PCB designs, this mission is the latest in HSL's series of high altitude weather balloons. This helium balloon will lift our CubeSat-style payload to an altitude of 27,000 meters (90,000 ft) where the thin atmosphere can reach temperatures as cold as -50°C. At peak altitude, the balloon will burst, deploying a parachute that will safely return the payload to Earth.

The payload carries radios and cameras to test our communication systems and capture Earth images that will provide test data for our in-house developed Earth tracker software. To protect these sensitive electronics from the extreme environment, we've designed an adaptive, resistive thermal management system to maintain optimal temperatures for the onboard battery, radios, and camera.

PHAT-3 is set to launch in the Moses Lake area of Washington State within by the end of Autumn Quarter so keep an eye on our socials for more updates!

Propulsion R&D: The Rocket Engineers of HSL

The Mission of Prop R&D:

You can’t really talk about getting to space without mentioning propulsion, and our HSL Propulsion R&D Division is here to shake up the industry! In the Propulsion R&D Division at HSL, our 20+ team focuses on innovating a new era of propulsion solutions for small satellites. The Division dives deep into research and testing, working on various propulsion technologies including:

• Mono-propellent: Generates thrust via one combustion fuel source

• Water Resistojet: Generates thrust through non-combustion fuel source of water

• Solar Sails: Generates thrust from photons in space particularly from our solar systems sun

• Electrospray: Generates thrust from an electrical thruster

What Are They Up To Now:

Along with working on trade studies and CAD models of the propulsions systems listed above, the team is prepping for the release of research papers within the next year on some of their novel designs. Along with research papers, the division is looking to add new members this Autumn, train new recruits on propulsion design, work within the design shop on new models, and obtain more industry backing for ongoing research.

HS-3 Division: The Penultimate Satellite of HSL

The Mission of HS-3:

Ever since the creation of the lab, HSL has had it’s sights trailed on the moon. Now, with more resources and knowledge than every, HSL has begun to take steps towards that goal by developing the first stages of the lunar orbiting CubeSat, HS-3.

HS-3 will be a moon orbiting CubeSat set to launch in the mid 2030’s. The mission? Map the winding tunnels and tubes under the surface of Mare Imbrium and Oceanus Procellarum, an area of the moon which shows high probability of lunar lava tubes having generated from past lunar volcanic activity. By mapping the tubes using ground penetrating radar systems, HS-3 aims to locate areas of interest for human habitation, offering protection from extreme temperature fluctuations, radiation, and meteorite impacts for the next generation of human moon missions.

HS-3 plans to use everything we’ve been developing in the lab for this mission, including LOST and FOUND for gps-independent navigation and propulsion systems developed by Propulsion R&N.

What Are They Up To Now:

The division, in it’s fledgling stages, is currently designing the mission overview and objectives, searching for launch providers and funding, and creating orbital schematics for a launch from Gateway (NASA’s lunar orbiting space station set to be developed in the 2030s) or LEO.

Business Division: Keeping The Lights On At HSL

The Mission of Business:

With HSL’s activities ramping up during the last year of development and growth, the lab decided to create a new subsystem to handle financial concerns, PR developments, and (shocker of shockers) everything else that supports thousand-dollar missions and projects. So, as of 2024, HSL welcomed the division you see today, the Business Operations Division, to the lab.

The Division is split into 5 difference components:

1. Financial Management

2. Branding and Merchandise

3. Social Media and Marketing

4. Outreach and Event Planning

5. Fundraising and Sponsorship Development.

Each division above plays a critical role in the health and wellness of the lab, both in terms of financial stability, community engagement, industry communication, and overall lab moral.

What Have They Been Up To?

Over the past year business has done a lot of different projects to help the lab thrive. This includes creating a promotional video of the lab in winter and spring quarter of 2024, hosting fundraisers at locations such as MOD Pizza, and organizing new outreach materials for conferences and events.

Speaking of conferences and events, they also organized HSl’s involvement in numerous outreach initiatives from Engineering Launch in Autumn Quarter to specialty engineering workshops for the broader UW community. The division also launched their first round of HSL merchandise including stickers, T-Shirts, and Sweatshirts to members of the lab.

The Division has also completely revamped the HSL website, which you can check out below!

HSL Website

Where Are They Heading This Quarter?

This quarter the business division has some big goals, including organizing lab workshops for all members of HSL across all divisions to learn essential skills such as CAD and F-Prime coding (a language directly used by NASA on many interplanetary missions such as the Mars Ingenuity Mission). Additionally, the division is lining up new merch (both for HSL members and the broader community so keep an eye out!) and working on industry visits of the lab and it’s members for recruiting season.

PS: If you represent a company hoping to grow stronger ties to HSL or are in the middle of recruiting season, reach out to cubesat@uw.edu and we can organize your companies visibility within the lab!

Specialty Mission: Mission CHNOOK

The Mission of CHNOOK:

This year, HSL had the amazing opportunity to not just build something for space, but actually launch a payload to the stars. That mission was CHNOOK, a partnership payload that HSL built and launched past the Kármán Line (100km in altitude and the official boundary between space and Earth) within Blue Origins New Shepard launch vehicle during their NS-35 Mission on September 18th, 2025 (check out a video of this launch from Blue Origin’s YouTube channel by clicking the link HERE).

Mission CHNOOK had 3 main parts to the payload:

Science → Within the bus of the payload HSL worked with a lab under lead mentor Dr. Derek Jacoby from The University of Victoria and one of his undergraduates, Piyush Acharya, on creating a container for a biology payload testing DNA origami. The hope of this payload was to examine the effects of zero-gravity on such DNA for future medicine transition in space.

HS-2 Testing → The bus of CHNOOK also contained a series of structural components to test in launch and zero gravity activity for the HS-2 mission.

Community Outreach → The final element of this payload actually was 3 different parts to engage the local and global community with HSL and space.

1. A small stuffed husky which was a collaboration with The University of Washington.

2. A list of community names, printed on a sheet of paper, submitted by the general public from across Washington State who wished to have their names in space.

3. An SD card carrying the art submission of K-College students in Washington State and, thanks to the collaborations with a non-profit organization the Might Crayon, across the globe so students creativity could reach for the stars.

All of these payloads (including the names and pictures) will be up on our website soon so stay tuned!

Each of these payloads where securely sent to Blue Origin, launched, and as of last week, returned safely to the lab for experimental study and presentation. This is the first time since 2019 that HSL has touched space, and it certainly won’t be the last!

What To Expect Going Forward

Well that was A LOT of cool info wasn’t it! But don’t worry, the HSL has so much more in store over the next school year and we can’t wait to continue sharing our news and updates here on the HSL Newsletter.

If you are interested in providing assistance to help us complete our missions, please fill out the interest form.

If you’re a student looking to join us on this awesome mission, please fill out our member application.

Thanks for reading Husky Satellite Lab Newsletter! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and stay updated.

Subscribe now

It’s been a while since our last newsletter update! A lot has happened in the past few years, and now we’re ramping up our operations more than ever. We’ve welcomed new members, made progress on our missions, and, most excitingly, been accepted into an incredible program that will transform our capabilities. With fresh energy and resources, we’re ready to take on new challenges and reach new heights!

General Updates

The big news: we’ve been accepted into the University Nanosatellite Program (UNP)! This prestigious program comes with a LOT of funding (now we’re rich!), which will significantly boost our work on HuskySat-2. With this support, we’re not only advancing our technical goals but also enhancing HSL’s visibility and appeal to potential sponsors.

To support these growing needs, we’re establishing a business subteam soon. This team will handle essential administrative and non-technical tasks, including finances, outreach, public relations, and more. We’re excited to see how this team helps us connect with our community and manage our resources even more effectively.

Subsystem Updates

Below are some updates from specific subsystems. Not all subsystems are listed here, but they’re all still busy doing great work so be on the lookout for their updates in the future!

Propulsion

The propulsion team has designed a cold-gas propulsion system that can fit within a 1.5U CubeSat, validated through orbital simulations in GMAT to establish an optimized orbit plan for HuskySat-3 and define the system’s required capabilities. Although a physical prototype hasn’t been built yet, the team is focused on advancing the design to meet mission objectives, especially by addressing thermal regulation challenges.

Current efforts involve developing a thermal management system for the tank, implementing resistojets in the nozzle, optimizing fuel storage, and exploring alternative propellants like refrigerants. The team plans to conduct feasibility assessments through detailed requirements calculations (power, space, etc.) to confirm if these upgrades are achievable. If viable, they’ll move toward prototyping, testing, and data analysis to set the foundation for next quarter’s goals.

Magnetorquers

In 2023, Marcin Anforowicz created a video showcasing a prototype magnetorquer, with additional optimization code available on GitHub. The team made progress with Marc Alwan and Hayden Gosch building an electric coil winder to aid in magnetorquer manufacturing. However, without a current lead and limited time, work on magnetorquers has stalled. The team’s primary goal is to find a new lead to resume and further develop this subsystem.

Magnetorquer Prototype Video:

Optimization code link: https://github.com/manforowicz/magnetorquer-calc

Communications

Nick Gutierrez, a lead engineer at Apex Space, generously donated two Endurosat S-Band radios and a Nuand BladeRF Micro A4 to the Husky Satellite Lab, a contribution worth over $28,000. In addition to this hardware support, Nick has also offered monthly mentorship to the communications team, which is an invaluable resource for their development.

The team is currently setting up these new radios, ordering a PyCubed system, and completing assembly of an adapted OpenLST radio. Leadership has also shifted, with Evan Gubarev taking over from Marcin Anforowicz as the new communications lead, bringing enthusiasm and a background in radio tech. The team’s goal now is to get a radio fully operational to enhance HuskySat-2’s communications capabilities.

Power Distribution

The Power Distribution Team recently designed its first battery charger prototype PCB. Currently, the team is focused on optimizing the power budget, testing the battery charger PCB, and developing a prototype for the Power Distribution System (PDS). The next key goal is to complete the PDS prototype.

Flight Computer

The flight computer team has acquired development boards and successfully completed a proof-of-concept for a custom Rust-based flight computer. Currently, they are focused on understanding the data and command requirements of other subsystems to ensure seamless integration. With an entirely new team this year, onboarding is a priority to get everyone up to speed on the technical aspects and mission goals.

Earth Tracker

The Earth Tracker team welcomed new members and introduced the software algorithm for their subsystem called FOUND. Each member chose a specific project that contributes to the overall algorithm to ensure active participation. They’re now developing a detailed timeline for the quarter and year, aiming to finalize the planning of all necessary algorithms this quarter. Additionally, the team is organizing a structured schedule and task map for each project to streamline workflow and achieve targeted milestones.

Star Tracker

Recently, the Star Tracker Team celebrated the acceptance of our second research paper, SIFTER: Star Identification from Transformer-Encoded Representations, at the Small Satellite Conference, where we placed 3rd in the Frank J. Redd Student Competition. We’re also excited that as of August 15, our software is officially in space, with OreSat-0.5 CubeSat relying on LOST for its ADCS after being transported to LEO. Meanwhile, we are actively onboarding new members eager to contribute to the development of our Star Tracking software. The process includes reviewing research papers, discussing findings, exploring the LOST repository, and starting introductory projects. Looking ahead, we plan to enhance LOST by creating a user-friendly web application for testing, improving the star image generator, and adding new star identification algorithms to strengthen the library’s capabilities.

Solar Panels

The Solar Panel team is currently onboarding new members to get them familiar with the subsystem, while wrapping up the second prototype and beginning design work on the third. Key improvements for the next iteration include a new burn wire mechanism, updated PCB design, and a revised hinge. They’re also helping members become comfortable with the software tools used in the project, with the goal of completing all design updates for the third prototype soon.

Reaction Wheels

The Reaction Wheels team has assembled their first full prototype and successfully tested motor capabilities using a flywheel. Currently, they’re onboarding new members and solidifying the team structure for upcoming quarters. Their next objective is to test the control code on the prototype system to evaluate its performance and refine control capabilities.

PHAT-3

Yehoshua Luna and Oliver Cordon Lohrentz are working to build a stand that will securely hold a helium tank in a UCAR pickup truck for transportation to PHAT-3’s launch site in Eastern Washington.

PHAT-3, HSL’s second high-altitude balloon following PHAT-1, will carry a CubeSat-like payload. Once launched, the balloon will be tracked via GPS as it ascends. Eventually, the balloon will expand due to low atmospheric pressure until it bursts, at which point a parachute will automatically deploy to guide the payload to a safe landing within a designated area, where it can be retrieved. Note: These pictures are of the old PHAT-1, not PHAT-3.

Thanks for reading!

As you can see, there’s a lot happening at HSL, and we’re more energized than ever to bring these projects to life over the next two years. With UNP funding and our new members, we’re in an excellent position to make substantial progress on HuskySat-2 and beyond.

If you are interested in providing assistance to help us complete our missions, please fill out the interest form.

If you’re a student looking to join us on this awesome mission, please fill out our member application.

Thanks for following along, and stay tuned for more updates!

🎉 Welcome new team members!

This fall, we welcomed 31 new team members from a range of backgrounds. New members got connected with projects based on their interests and experience and are already hard at work on space systems.

That includes working on everything from design studies in Python that optimize parameters for a magnetorquer design, to designing and implementing highly efficient image analysis algorithms, to creating parametric CAD models with an emphasis on manufacturability. If that sounds interesting to you, Consider joining as a student!

ℹ️ Development Updates

We kicked off a range of new projects, including a camera-based orbit determination system (“Earth Tracker”), a cold gas rocket propulsion system, and various other satellite systems like power distribution and flight computer modules. We spun off the propulsion project into an Aeronautics & Astronautics Engineering Senior Capstone, with a half-dozen passionate seniors dedicating the next six months to bringing it to completion.

We also made significant progress on ongoing projects, such as our open-source star tracker (attitude determination system) and our reaction wheel module. Our star tracker group is now benchmarking the performance and accuracy of star identification algorithms using our simulated sky generator, as well as creating infrastructure to automate the testing of the star tracker with “full sky coverage” (testing our system in all possible orientations the satellite could wind up in).

☀️ Summer 2022 Recap

We’ll have a full recap posted soon, but we weren’t slacking off! This summer, some of our members participated in the Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP) here at UW. Their poster nicely summarizes the work they did.

Outside of SURP, we also did a lot of behind-the-scenes work solidifying our mission objectives and team direction, as well as welcoming a new admin team.

🔮 What’s next for HSL: 2023 and beyond

We’re currently working on HuskySat-2, a Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) technology development and demonstration precursor to HuskySat-3, a moon-mapping CubeSat. Our visions for the upcoming two missions and for 2023 are:

• HuskySat-3 (late 2020s): Map lava tube caves under the surface of the moon using Ground-Penetrating Radar (GPR)

• HuskySat-2 (2025): Demonstrate a new, open-source deep-space navigation package (star tracker, earth tracker, propulsion, and reaction wheels)

• 2023: Lay the foundation for HuskySat-2 through an excellent NASA CubeSat Launch Initiative (CSLI) proposal

NASA’s CSLI program provides launch opportunities for small satellites. The trade deal is: you receive a ride to space, and NASA receives a report on your findings. In our case, we’re hoping to apply in fall 2023 for a launch slot in 2025.

To keep us on track with HuskySat-2 and our CSLI proposal, we’ve set the following goals for winter 2023:

• Technical: build preliminary prototypes of every subsystem, identify all non-negotiable mission requirements (ITAR, FCC, FAA…), and investigate avenues for publishing and presenting the work we’ve done so far.

• Business: expand our team with legal and finance specialists, grow our relationships with sponsors, and improve our marketing materials (such as our website, social media, and this newsletter :D)

• CSLI: complete our merit review, prepare for our feasibility review (tentatively targeting spring 2023), and start writing our proposal so we’re ready for the fall 2023 deadline.

If you’d like to be a reviewer for our merit and feasibility reviews, or would otherwise like to help us with design reviews and providing advice, please consider signing up on our interest form!

🛰 …and one more thing: HuskySat-1 is alive?!

Against all odds, it seems that HuskySat-1 might be alive and kicking again! Multiple transmissions were reported on December 29th via SatNOGS after a long stretch of silence, leading us to believe HuskySat-1 may have come back to life.

We’ve assembled a team of enthusiastic data analyzers from the HSL, and we’re collaborating with HSL alumni and radio enthusiasts to figure out what the CubeSat’s status is as well as what we should do next.

Thank you for reading!

Please consider filling out our interest form to provide advice, help with design reviews, and otherwise guide us to a successful mission! 🚀

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