Harvard College CubeSat Spacecraft

Spacecraft name	HUCSat (Harvard College CubeSat)
Spacecraft type	CubeSat
Units or mass	2U
Status	not launched, expected in 2026
Launcher	Falcon 9, (Cygnus), (NG-24)
Organization	Harvard University
Institution	University
Entity type	Academic / Education
Country	US
Oneliner	Test the utility and viability of Shape-Memory Alloys as a means to reduce cost and complexity for instrumentation in a microgravity environment. T
Description	Test the utility and viability of Shape-Memory Alloys as a means to reduce cost and complexity for instrumentation in a microgravity environment. The goal is for this application of shape-memory alloys to represent a simple, scalable, and cost-competitive solution for critical deployment functions in Earth orbit and beyond. The overall goals of the HUCSat mission are: Demonstrate the efficacy of LoRa for spacecraft telemetry and command, furthering the radio arts and providing a template for other amateur operators and satellite hobbyists in building their own very low power satellites and ground stations. Support amateurs using the published LoRa modulation and packet structures on our website to relay their own packets through HUCSat. On orbit experimentation with a method for deploying and periodically orienting solar panels using Nickel Titanium (a.k.a. nitinol, a shape-memory alloy) springs. The nitinol spring array will be selectively actuated throughout the orbital cycle to orient the solar panel faces toward the sun. The HUCSat mission is an amateur and educational mission. The project has been initiated and developed entirely by undergraduate students, most of which already have HAM radio licenses or are studying to obtain HAM radio licenses. The mission will continue to demonstrate the efficacy of LoRa for spacecraft telemetry and command, which can inspire and assist other amateur operators and satellite hobbyists in building their own CubeSat projects. Furthermore, amateurs using the published LoRa modulation and packet structures on our website could relay their own packets through HUCSat, As with all amateur satellite missions, the prospect of receiving a telemetry packet with their own equipment will inspire students around the world to pursue radio communications and spacecraft projects of their own imaginations.
Sources	[1] [2] [3] [4]

Last modified: 2025-12-29