- Category
- Innovation
- Date
- May 12, 2025
Embry‑Riddle’s Prescott Campus’ nanosatellite, EagleSat-2, continues a student-driven research legacy — one built on dreams, determination and ingenuity.
The CubeSat initiative, funded by a NASA educational research program, took flight in more than one way.
What began as a hands-on learning experience within the Department of Computer, Electrical and Software Engineering (CESE) grew into a cross-disciplinary effort involving nearly 200 students from the College of Engineering (COE). Over the span of seven years, the students faced challenge after challenge, designing and building a nanosatellite, known as a CubeSat, about the size of a loaf of bread.
The EagleSat-2 satellite is now prepped and ready for launch.
In the second half of this story (read the first half if you haven’t already!), we asked a handful of key contributors to share their reflections on building their CubeSat from the ground up.
Grit: The Engine of Excellence
EagleSat-2 was powered as much by grit as it was by computer processors.
Along the way, some students lost momentum or shifted priorities. But a passionate core of students remained, solving one technical puzzle after another — such as programming the onboard computer (OBC).
Aerospace Engineering alum and embedded software engineer Logan Ruddick (’24) explained: “Our onboard computer had to monitor signals from over 60 channels using multiple connection types and data formats and respond to five other satellite systems in over 250 ways.”
A critical difference between EagleSat-1 and -2 was the ground station. After the first EagleSat lost contact post-launch, this time the team used the rooftop of the Aerospace Experimentation and Fabrication Building (AXFAB) to install upgraded ground communication equipment.
And sometimes happy accidents contributed off the roster.
Software Engineering graduate Hayden Roszell (’23) attended an Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) conference with Interim CESE Chair, Dr. Ahmed Sulyman. During a chance encounter, Dr. Sulyman met an old friend, a professor from a different university, whose doctoral student managed to solve a key engineering issue for the EagleSat-2 team.
Devise. Design. Develop … Document
And delays? Plenty of them.
A short circuit postponed one launch. Another was caused when launch partner Nanoracks was acquired by thriving defense and space company Voyager.
But the biggest challenge? Information loss.
The team pointed to inconsistent documentation as their greatest obstacle. Ruddick said, “One of my goals as project manager was increasing our focus and value on good documentation.” Additionally, proper information management will benefit future EagleSat teams.
Collaboration Across Disciplines
For many, EagleSat-2 offered a glimpse into what real-world engineering looks like — messy, dynamic and deeply collaborative. The team embraced each other’s expertise, valuing every idea that someone proposed.
“Unlike the classroom, there is no 'correct' answer,” said Computer Engineering graduate Calvin Henggeler (’24), “Rather, engineering can have infinite options ... and learning will guide you to a better and better solution."
Communication was key in their cross-disciplinary collaboration. For Henggeler, the greatest reward was clear: “Learning how to collaborate with engineers from other specialties, and as a consequence, expanding my own knowledge.”
Joshua Parmenter (‘22), another Computer Engineering alum, recalled a late-night moment of awe shared by the team.
After some long nights in the library, we marveled at a stunning combination of hardware, software, physics and material engineering expertise involved in the initial prototype for the satellite.
Honoring the Process
Over seven years, the team met bi-weekly with its launch provider, Voyager, helping track their progress and ensuring they stayed aligned with spaceflight standards required to launch a CubeSat from the International Space Station (ISS).
Students organized into sub-teams based on discipline and project phase — from design reviews to integration testing. Dr. Sulyman even co-taught a course with Dr. Chetan Date, associate professor of Aerospace Engineering, in small satellite systems, connecting curriculum directly to the project’s needs. Dr. Sulyman also jointly supervised a capstone project with Professor Dennis Kodimer, who's also from the Department of Computer, Electrical and Software Engineering — covering the installation of the ground control antenna.
“EagleSat-2 wouldn’t exist without the consistent support of the College of Engineering,” said Dr. Sulyman. "The project had solid support from COE’s present and past deans, as well as faculty.” School of Business faculty and alumni also helped, offering invaluable project management strategies and mentorship that structured the project.
A Higher Purpose
After its seven-year journey, EagleSat-2 now waits for liftoff in a CubeSat deployer — a spring-loaded container that keeps the satellite safe during launch. Deployers often carry multiple satellites at once and sometimes support international and collaborative missions.
The deployer assigned to EagleSat-2, incidentally, was previously used for a mission involving China, Turkey and the United States, and it bore a hopeful inscription commemorating the global cooperation behind space exploration.
“This is the state of the future of space. This deployer contains a spacecraft from China, Turkey and the United States and is a perfect example of the cooperation required for the continued presence of humanity in space.”
Only the Beginning
It’s impossible to name every student who contributed to the project, but the EagleSat-2 team is grateful to all. And although a launch delay has pushed their timeline back again — possibly to winter 2025 — the hardest part is behind them.
Once the satellite is deployed from the ISS with a catapult, it will collect data for up to two years. After accomplishing its mission, EagleSat-2 will re-enter the atmosphere, where it will be burned up in the process. But EagleSat-2's data will live on, helping future researchers, inspiring the next EagleSat team and proving what’s possible when students reach for the stars.
Meanwhile, Embry‑Riddle's College of Engineering is already at work on the next mission. With each CubeSat, our legacy of innovation grows — and so do the students leading it — from the Department of Computer, Electrical and Software Engineering and beyond.
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