OUR PROJECTS
Our team is currently focusing on three major projects. These projects are SatFab, THEIA, and Liquid Rocket. We are continuously working to develop and expand our student lead projects.
SatFab Project
The Satellite Component Fabrication Project (“SatFab”) team is focused on designing, building, and testing custom satellite components. These components will be tested using high altitude balloons and SEDS@UMD is partnering with the United States Naval Academy to send our custom components as a payload on one of their CubeSats.
THEIA Project
The Telescope Hosting Event-Based Imaging Apparatus (“THEIA”) team is focused on all parts of CubeSat creation. THEIA is funded through the University Nanosatellite Program (UNP), sponsored by the United States Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR) and the Space Vehicles Directorate (AFRL/RV), which provides CubeSat funding and launch opportunities for educational institutions. This program gives CubeSat developers access to a low-cost pathway to conduct research in the areas of science, exploration, technology development, education, or operations. THEIA’s payload will test an event camera and its ability to detect and track asteroids. This CubeSat will be UMD’s first student created CubeSat.
Liquid Rocket Project
The Liquid Rocket Team is developing the first bipropellant liquid rocket engine at the University of Maryland. The project is starting with a small-scale rocket engine with a thrust of 100 lbf and will work their way up to a 1200 lbf thrust rocket engine.