Small Spacecraft Development Project-Based Learning

Book excerpt: This book provides the information that is required to start a small spacecraft program for educational purposes. This will include a discussion of multiple approaches to program formation and build / buy / hybrid decision considerations. The book also discusses how a CubeSat (or other small spacecraft program) can be integrated into course and/or program curriculum and the ancillary benefits that such a program can provide. The assessment of small spacecraft programs and participatory project-based learning programs is also discussed extensively. The book presents prior work related to program assessment (both for a single program and internationally) and discusses how similar techniques can be utilized for both formative and summative assessment of a new program. The utility of these metrics (and past assessment of other programs) in gaining buy-in for program formation and funding is also considered.