Sixty years on, NASA still has the ability to inspire a new generation of young people, and the world with its exploration of new frontiers, discovery of new knowledge, and development of new…

The Research Foundation of the City University of New York (RFCUNY) received a $370,579 cooperative agreement from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Shared Services Center to partner with the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Atmospheric & Space Technology Research Associates, and the City College of New York. This project aims to develop curriculum and experiential learning opportunities at the community college level aligned with NASA's Space Technology Mission Directorate. The focus is on communications and navigation, including student involvement in the Plasma Enhancements in the Ionosphere-Thermosphere Satellite (PETItSat) CubeSat mission. The project supports NASA's strategic objectives to understand the Earth and inspire the next generation of explorers through STEM education. The award has no set-aside designation and a completion date of August 2022.

Sixty years on, NASA still has the ability to inspire a new generation of young people, and the world with its exploration of new frontiers, discovery of new knowledge, and development of new technology. The queensborough community college (QCC) of the city university of new york (CUNY) is partnering with the NASA goddard space flight center (GSFC) mission engineering and systems analysis (MESA) division, the atmospheric & space technology research associates (ASTRA), and CUNY/city college of NY (CCNY) to capitalize on NASA S ability to inspire both students and the public. This unique partnership will develop innovations in curriculum and experiential learning opportunities at the community college level that will be aligned with NASA S space technology mission directorate (STMD). The proposal will both enhance the STEM experience of students, thereby contributing to the development of the U.S. Workforce; and increase the participation of groups historically under-represented in STEM fields. The project aims at developing a community of faculty, students, GSFC experts, and research scientists that support STMD goals to, conduct research and technology development, demonstration, and infusion of these technologies into NASA S missions and american industry. The project will focus on the following space technology development area at GSFC: communications and navigation. Students will work on the plasma enhancements in the ionosphere-thermosphere satellite (PETITSAT), a NASA funded cubesat mission to be deployed from the international space station (ISS) in 2021. From a science perspective, using a systems science approach, students will investigate space weather effects on the ionosphere, including understanding causes of perturbations in the density of the plasma that can interfere with global positioning systems (GPS) and radar signals. From an engineering perspective, student's laboratory experience will simulate interacting with a cubesat flatsat for preliminary assembly, integration,&testing (AI & T). The project is particularly relevant to the following two NASA S strategic objectives: 1) understand the sun, earth, solar system, and universe; and 2) inspire, engage, educate, and employ the next generation of explorers through NASA-unique science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) learning opportunities. The proposal will further strengthen partnership between QCC, GSFC, CCNY, and foster new ones with private space technology development industries like ASTRA. Partnership will result in the leveraging of research and educational resources, facilities, and sources of additional funding. The queensborough community college is the lead institution.