Session
Poster Session 1
Location
Salt Palace Convention Center, Salt Lake City, UT
Abstract
AggieSat6 (AGS6) is a 6U CubeSat designed and developed by students at Texas A&M University (TAMU) as part of the University Nanosatellite Program (UNP) NS-10 cycle. The mission will demonstrate a space-based radio frequency array for Space Domain Awareness (SDA) applications and collect low-energy electron radiation data to improve existing environmental models. Beginning in January 2025, students at TAMU established mission operations architecture, implemented operator training and certification, and prepared to assume sole responsibility for on-orbit operations. The AggieSat6 bus launched into Low Earth Orbit (LEO) in April of 2026. The AGS6 Mission was supported by the University Nanosatellite Program. This mission was also supported by the Aerospace Corporation.
This paper summarizes the lessons learned and improvements made over the past year in preparation for launch and execution of the Launch and Early Operations (LEOPS) phase. Topics include development of a student-oriented operator training and certification pipeline, ground systems scheduling tools and procedures, verification and validation methods tied to mission success criteria, and a design of a mission operations center. Particular attention is given to constraints and risks associated with a university-led operations team composed primarily of volunteer undergraduate students.
Document Type
Event
Included in
AggieSat6 University CubeSat OPS Prep and LEOPS
Salt Palace Convention Center, Salt Lake City, UT
AggieSat6 (AGS6) is a 6U CubeSat designed and developed by students at Texas A&M University (TAMU) as part of the University Nanosatellite Program (UNP) NS-10 cycle. The mission will demonstrate a space-based radio frequency array for Space Domain Awareness (SDA) applications and collect low-energy electron radiation data to improve existing environmental models. Beginning in January 2025, students at TAMU established mission operations architecture, implemented operator training and certification, and prepared to assume sole responsibility for on-orbit operations. The AggieSat6 bus launched into Low Earth Orbit (LEO) in April of 2026. The AGS6 Mission was supported by the University Nanosatellite Program. This mission was also supported by the Aerospace Corporation.
This paper summarizes the lessons learned and improvements made over the past year in preparation for launch and execution of the Launch and Early Operations (LEOPS) phase. Topics include development of a student-oriented operator training and certification pipeline, ground systems scheduling tools and procedures, verification and validation methods tied to mission success criteria, and a design of a mission operations center. Particular attention is given to constraints and risks associated with a university-led operations team composed primarily of volunteer undergraduate students.
