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Abstract
This special merit is awarded to Professor Robert “Bob” Twiggs in recognition of his considerable contributions of outstanding significance to the small satellite community over the course of his distinguished career. His life-long devotion to education and innovation has touched the lives of hundreds of students and is one of the cornerstones of the CubeSat revolution.
After starting his career in the Air Force and aerospace industry, Professor Twiggs turned his talents to academia. At Weber State University he introduced the concept of using small satellites as teaching tools. He carried on that approach to Stanford University where he led the development of the SAPPHIRE and OPAL microsatellites. Inspired by the OPAL picosatellite payload, but frustrated by the lengthy development process, he proposed a simpler satellite – one small enough to fit in the palm of one hand. This would eventually culminate in the creation of the CubeSat standard under which hundreds of satellites have been developed worldwide by industry, academia, and government. Not one to stand still, he went on to develop PocketQubes, CricketSats, ThinSats and other ideas meant to educate future engineers.
Today, graduates of Professor Twiggs’ laboratories and second generation graduates taught by his former students have leadership roles in NASA, research universities, major aerospace companies, and small New Space startups.
Professor Twiggs’ approach for hands-on learning through the use of small satellites is the embodiment of Benjamin Franklin’s statement, “Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.” This award goes to Professor Bob Twiggs in honor of the countless students he inspired and the industry he helped create.
Robert “Bob” Twiggs
This special merit is awarded to Professor Robert “Bob” Twiggs in recognition of his considerable contributions of outstanding significance to the small satellite community over the course of his distinguished career. His life-long devotion to education and innovation has touched the lives of hundreds of students and is one of the cornerstones of the CubeSat revolution.
After starting his career in the Air Force and aerospace industry, Professor Twiggs turned his talents to academia. At Weber State University he introduced the concept of using small satellites as teaching tools. He carried on that approach to Stanford University where he led the development of the SAPPHIRE and OPAL microsatellites. Inspired by the OPAL picosatellite payload, but frustrated by the lengthy development process, he proposed a simpler satellite – one small enough to fit in the palm of one hand. This would eventually culminate in the creation of the CubeSat standard under which hundreds of satellites have been developed worldwide by industry, academia, and government. Not one to stand still, he went on to develop PocketQubes, CricketSats, ThinSats and other ideas meant to educate future engineers.
Today, graduates of Professor Twiggs’ laboratories and second generation graduates taught by his former students have leadership roles in NASA, research universities, major aerospace companies, and small New Space startups.
Professor Twiggs’ approach for hands-on learning through the use of small satellites is the embodiment of Benjamin Franklin’s statement, “Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.” This award goes to Professor Bob Twiggs in honor of the countless students he inspired and the industry he helped create.
