Session
Year in Review Research & Academia
Location
Salt Palace Convention Center, Salt Lake City, UT
Abstract
Alpha CubeSat is a mission led by students of the Cornell University Space Systems Design Studio to deploy a ChipSat-equipped free-flying retroreflective light sail in LEO. The spacecraft launched with NASA CSLI on the NG-23 ISS cargo resupply mission on September 14th, 2025 and deployed from the space station as part of NRCSD-29 on December 2nd, 2025. The mission was a success, with all primary mission objectives accomplished. This paper presents the mission results, with insights into the critical decision-making made within the first 48hrs of the mission to deploy and establish contact with the light sail payload. From conception to deorbit, this CubeSat program spanned 10 years, created hands-on engineering opportunities for over 100 students, and engaged thousands of people from around the world.
Document Type
Event
Successful Deployment of the First Free-Flying Light Sail: Results From the Cornell University Alpha CubeSat Mission
Salt Palace Convention Center, Salt Lake City, UT
Alpha CubeSat is a mission led by students of the Cornell University Space Systems Design Studio to deploy a ChipSat-equipped free-flying retroreflective light sail in LEO. The spacecraft launched with NASA CSLI on the NG-23 ISS cargo resupply mission on September 14th, 2025 and deployed from the space station as part of NRCSD-29 on December 2nd, 2025. The mission was a success, with all primary mission objectives accomplished. This paper presents the mission results, with insights into the critical decision-making made within the first 48hrs of the mission to deploy and establish contact with the light sail payload. From conception to deorbit, this CubeSat program spanned 10 years, created hands-on engineering opportunities for over 100 students, and engaged thousands of people from around the world.
