Texas State University launched its first satellite, PROVES-Maia, into space on Oct. 13. The satellite is owned and operated by the university and was launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 as part of NASA’s CRS-35 mission to the International Space Station.
The overview
Texas State University’s Space Lab has spent years helping other universities prepare satellites for orbit, according to a news release. Students and researchers in the lab built and tested the satellite and will operate it once it has reached orbit.
“This launch is a testament to what Bobcats can do when we come together and tackle something as complex as satellite design and operations,” said Evan Jellison, assistant professor of instruction in the Department of Physics and Texas State University Space Lab coordinator.
The Maia satellite carries MOSAIC, a Texas State University-developed system that lets teams test different scientific instruments and spacecraft components, according to the release.
“The mission wouldn’t be possible without the diversity of skills and expertise students brought to the project,” Jellison said in the release. “Maia is also a stepping stone for TXST. Once we finish this mission, what’s stopping us from doing another?”
The next steps
Once the satellite has reached the International Space Station, it will remain there until it is sent into solo orbit around Earth, according to the release. The mission will then begin.
The satellite’s successful launch creates opportunities for future university research, including testing new technologies and conducting experiments in space.
“Maia is the first time Texas State University has run a mission of its own,” said Blagoy Rangelov, associate professor in the Department of Physics and principal investigator of the Texas State University Space Lab. “Our students build it, test it and then command it from our own ground station once it’s in orbit.”