University Nanosatellite Program


The University Nanosat Program is a satellite design and fabrication competition for universities. It is jointly administered by the Air Force Office of Scientific Research, the Air Force Research Laboratory, the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, the Space Development and Test Wing and the AFRL Space Vehicles Directorate's Spacecraft Technology division. NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center was involved from the program inception through Nanosat-3.
The UNP is a recurring competition that involves two phases. The first phase occurs as university teams initially respond to a solicitation posted by the UNP program or one of its partner organizations. The solicitation results in a competition for selection for that program cycle. Typically 10-11 awards are made during this initial phase. Grants are offered to the awardees to participate in a rigorous two-year process to design and develop their satellite concept. At the end of the two years, a Flight Competition Review is held where judges evaluate each program's progress and readiness to move to the next phase. Winners from each cycle are offered launch by AFRL when the systems are ready for flight. Other U.S. Government agencies, such as NASA through the Educational Launch of Nanosatellites initiative, also step in to offer launch opportunities when available. Since 1999, there have been 11 cycles of the program.
The program's objective is to train tomorrow's space professionals by providing a rigorous two year concept to flight-ready spacecraft competition for U. S. higher education institutions and to enable small satellite research and development, integration and flight test. Approximately 5,000 college students and 40 institutions of higher learning have been involved in this experience since its inception in 1999.

Program Cycles

Nanosat-1/Nanosat-2

1st-group. Arizona State University: Sparkie 1st-group. New Mexico State University: Petey 1st-group. University of Colorado at Boulder: Ralphie
Events and Milestones:
  • December 2004. Sparkie and Ralphie launch on the inaugural Delta-IV Heavy

Nanosat-3

The Nanosat-3 cycle started in 2003 when 13 universities were chosen to compete. The panel selected the
University of Texas at Austin’s Formation Autonomous Spacecraft with Thruster, Relative-Navigation, Attitude and Crosslink or FASTRAC satellite as the winner.1st. The University of Texas at Austin: FASTRAC2nd. Taylor University: TEST3rd. Michigan Technological University: HuskySat
Events and Milestones:
  • November 19, 2010. University of Texas FASTRAC spacecraft launches on a Minotaur IV

Nanosat-4

In March 2005, eleven universities were chosen from the submitted proposals to compete in the Nanosat-4 Phase B effort. CUSat was selected the winner of the cycle in March 2007.1st. Cornell University: CUSat2nd. Washington University in St. Louis: Akoya and Bandit3rd. University of Missouri-Rolla: UMR SAT
Events and Milestones:
  • March 2007. Nanosat-4 Flight Competition Review where CUSat named winner
  • September 29, 2013. Cornell University's CUSat launched successfully.

Nanosat-5

The Nanosat-5 competition began in January 2007 with 11 universities being selected from 26 proposal submissions. The University of Colorado at Boulder’s Drag and Atmospheric Neutral Density Experiment or DANDE was selected to continue on toward launch.1st. University of Colorado at Boulder: DANDE2nd. Washington University in St. Louis: Akoya-B & Bandit-C3rd. Michigan Technological University: Oculus
Events and Milestones:
  • January 2009. Nanosat-5 Flight Competition Review where DANDE named winner
  • September 29, 2013. DANDE launches on Falcon-9

Nanosat-6

The Nanosat-6 Program Flight Competition Review was sponsored by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics was held in Albuquerque, New Mexico. A panel of judges from the Air Force Research Laboratory, Space Test Program, Air Force Institute of Technology and industry selected the winners identified in the table below.1st. Michigan Technological University: Oculus-ASR2nd. Cornell University: Violet3rd. University of Hawaii at Manoa: Ho'oponopono
Events and Milestones:
  • January 2009. Kickoff
  • January 2011. Flight Competition Review
  • June 25, 2019. Michigan Tech's Oculus-ASR satellite launches on Falcon-9 Heavy

Nanosat-7

Eleven schools were selected to pursue the Nanosat-7 opportunity:1st- Microsats. Georgia Institute of Technology: Prox-12nd- Microsats. Missouri S&T1st- Cubesats. University of Texas at Austin2nd- Cubesats. University of Michigan

Nanosat-8

The Nanosat-8 cycle started in late 2012 with the selection of 10 competing schools. AFRL announced the winners of the Nanosat-8 cycle in February 2015. The first four winners included Missouri University of Science and Technology, the University of Colorado at Boulder, Georgia Institute of Technology, and Taylor University respectively. With a tie for fifth spot, Boston University and State University of New York at Buffalo teams will support deep-dive visits from judges to each program for a tie-breaker decision.1st. Missouri S&T: MR & MRS SAT2nd. University of Colorado Boulder: PolarCube3rd. Georgia Institute of Technology: RECONSO4th. Taylor University: ELEO-Sat5th. Boston University: ANDESITE5th. SUNY Buffalo: GLADOS

Nanosat-9

The Nanosat-9 Flight Selection Review process resulted in selection of the University of Georgia MOCI payload as winner with the University of Colorado at Boulder's MAXWELL coming in second.1st. University of Georgia: MOCI2nd. University of Colorado Boulder: MAXWELL

Nanosat-10

In November 2021, three universities were notified of selection for flight when each program's satellite is ready for launch.1st. University of Minnesota: EXACT2nd. Texas A&M University: Aggiesat63rd. Michigan Technological University: Auris

Nanosat-11

The Nanosat-11 competition was announced in August 2021. Participants were notified by AFRL of onward inclusion in the Nanosat-11 effort on November 23, 2021