OUR STORY

Introducing LEARNSat: Empowering K-12 Innovation in Space Technology!

The rapid growth of space technology has opened new frontiers, yet many K-12 institutions lack access to the resources that inspire innovation in this field.

LEARNSat, a groundbreaking initiative from the University of Georgia’s Small Satellite Research Laboratory (SSRL), is changing that.

Join the Mission!

How we work

What is LEARNSat?

01

K-12 CubeSat Kits

Designed specifically for high school students, LEARNSat provides affordable CubeSat kits and a comprehensive curriculum, allowing students to build and launch their own satellites through suborbital missions using weather balloons.

02

Affordable Design

At the heart of LEARNSat is a 3D-printed, lightweight satellite bus frame—six times lighter than traditional designs and 90% more cost-effective—making space technology more accessible than ever.

03

LEARNSat Ed

With a fully integrated website offering step-by-step courses and instructional videos, LEARNSat ensures that students not only build satellites but also gain a deep understanding of the technology that powers them.

Completed LEARNSats will be launched using weather balloons with the support of the UGA SSRL.

UGA SSRL Missions

SPOC

The SPectral Ocean Color

The SPectral Ocean Color (SPOC) satellite mission, was funded through NASA’s second iteration of the Undergraduate Student Instrument Project (USIP) in mid 2016. The SPOC’s mission shall acquire moderate resolution imagery across a wide range of spectral bands to monitor coastal ecosystems and ocean color. SPOC will acquire image data between 433 and 866 nm to monitor 1) coastal wetlands status, 2) estuarine water quality including wetland biophysical characteristics and phytoplankton dynamics, and 3) near-coastal ocean productivity. SPOC shall use multispectral remote sensing techniques to quantify vegetation health, primary productivity, ocean productivity, suspended sediments, and organic matter in coastal regions. The uniqueness of SPOC lies in its payload, a 16 band adjustable multi spectral imager, called SPOC eye. The payload structure for SPOC was designed by Cloudland Instruments and the UGA SSRL SPOC team is actively building and refining the optical structure.

MOCI

The Multi-view Onboard Computational Imager

The Multi-view Onboard Computational Imager (MOCI) mission shall acquire imagery of the Earth’s surface from (Low Earth Orbit) LEO and perform near real time Structure from Motion (SfM) at a landscape scale using custom algorithms and off the shelf, high performance computational units. The MOCI mission will also identify and map coastal phenomena while training students in STEM related fields. Efficient data compression, feature detection, feature matching, and SfM processing techniques of space-based imagery will be performed on board the spacecraft as a proof-of-concept of high performance, on board processing capabilities. 3D models produced by the MOCI satellite will take the form of Digital Surface Models (DSM) as their end product for quick data downlink.

MEMESat-1

The Mission for Education and Multimedia Engagement Satellite

The Mission for Education and Multimedia Engagement Satellite (MEMESat-1) is a non-profit funded 2U satellite designed for K-12 education and STEM outreach. This mission is funded by Let’s Go to Space, a registered non-profit organization dedicated to educating students across the world on space topics and radio systems. MEMESat-1 aims to break down barriers to entry in the space industry and engage kids with STEM concepts through innovative means. MEMESat-1 connects with students across the world by allowing users to send a meme of their choice directly to the satellite.

COSMO

The Center for Orbital Satellite Mission Operations

The Center for Orbital Satellite Mission Operations (COSMO) serves as the communications center for the University of Georgia Small Satellite Research Laboratory (SSRL). COSMO oversees ground station operations from our on-campus rotator installation; along with mission radio support, testing, and implementations.

Currently, COSMO has been working on Ground Station validation and team support for both MOCI and MEMESat-1 through testing and development (radiation pattern testing, GNURadio scripts, and more) !