Design and manufacturing of Galileicubesat: a nano-satellite for high school and university hands-on education

The introduction of the Cubesat Standard, together with the miniaturization and improved performance of on-board satellite electronic components, allows developing small low cost scientific and education space missions. The new development of space activity involves the study of nano-satellites, by the aid of novel technologies which allow to achieve remarkable scientific soundness with low-cost payloads. Such technologies are at disposal of students since the reduced hardware and the possibility to use commercial components for the whole subsystems control. Aim of the work is to join secondary school students with university students and professional researchers for a preliminary development of a nano-satellite for Earth observation. A group of high-school students from the ITIS-Galileo Galilei of Rome and university students from the Faculty of Civil and Industrial Engineering of Sapienza University of Rome have been involved in a hands-on education activity, to foster the awareness of space technology and implementation aspects of a space program. The activity is focused both on the satellite numerical design and mechanical manufacturing, and on the payload and control electronics analysis and development. Students developed a prototype of the complete satellite system, following standard space operational procedures and qualification for launch. The key for the development of the program is the space environment testing infrastructure available at the ITIS-Galilei and operated by the DIAEE personnel.