Palos Verdes Institute of Technology

Space Programs

The PVIT CubeSat team is actively engaged in developing a CubeSat, a type of miniature satellite, with hopes to eventually launch it into space. Our primary mission is to capture images from Low Earth Orbit (LEO) using a camera from an Android phone. The satellite is designed to reach an altitude of 500 kilometers and is equipped with a Magnetorquer for detumbling and orientation control. It also includes a LoRa transceiver for communication with ground stations on Earth.

This project represents an ongoing effort with significant progress made over the years. Our current focus is on developing the communications software for the satellite and ground stations. We’re excited about an upcoming proof of concept test using a hot air balloon, planned for the spring. Our team is very hands-on and incorporates elements of mathematics, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and computer programming.

Previous to the CubeSat project, the team launched several high altitude balloons to collect data while the balloon traveled to near-space.  Launching in the Mojave Desert, tracking the balloon’s path of travel, and recovering the balloon successfully was a great 18-hour adventure.  Not only did the team collect important altitude, speed, and other data, the on-board GoPro camera captured some great photos from 20 miles above the earth’s surface.