Session
Poster Session 1
Abstract
Amateur aerospace projects are becoming commonplace in Canada including those developing small satellites. The greatest hurdle for teams developing these is often acquiring funding to launch. Current methods include crowdfunding and high volume corporate donation. The University of Toronto Aerospace Team’s Space Systems Division succeeded with an alternative: student levy funding. UTAT-SS passed a referendum to raise over $400,000 Canadian Dollars to fund the launch of the UTAT-SS nanosatellite, HERON Mk II. These funds may kickstart a launch program at the University, the first of its kind in Canada. This levy charges students $2.77 per semester, renewable every two years. The levy process was composed of two major stages: the petition and campaign, preceding online voting. The petition period required over 2500 signatures of student support and the campaign allowed for sharing of the goals and benefits of the project. After a previous failed attempt at a referendum, the approach focused on the process with an emphasis on leadership, organization and effective messaging that ultimately proved successful with the vote passing with 54.8% in favour. This levy could prove as a model for other universities and teams to fund high cost STEM projects.
Alternative Launch Funding for Student Nanosatellite Missions
Amateur aerospace projects are becoming commonplace in Canada including those developing small satellites. The greatest hurdle for teams developing these is often acquiring funding to launch. Current methods include crowdfunding and high volume corporate donation. The University of Toronto Aerospace Team’s Space Systems Division succeeded with an alternative: student levy funding. UTAT-SS passed a referendum to raise over $400,000 Canadian Dollars to fund the launch of the UTAT-SS nanosatellite, HERON Mk II. These funds may kickstart a launch program at the University, the first of its kind in Canada. This levy charges students $2.77 per semester, renewable every two years. The levy process was composed of two major stages: the petition and campaign, preceding online voting. The petition period required over 2500 signatures of student support and the campaign allowed for sharing of the goals and benefits of the project. After a previous failed attempt at a referendum, the approach focused on the process with an emphasis on leadership, organization and effective messaging that ultimately proved successful with the vote passing with 54.8% in favour. This levy could prove as a model for other universities and teams to fund high cost STEM projects.
