Project Charter

Arctic regions have been changing rapidly due to climate change in recent years. Northern communities lack accessible and up-to-date data about ice quality and quantity in northern Canada. 

ArcticSat aims to provide scientists and northern communities with access to ice quality and quantity data in northern Canada via the use of a 3U CubeSat. Ice data will be measured using a passive microwave radiometer operating at 18.7 GHz. Additionally ArcticSat aims to make space systems more accessible for northern communities performing climate change research. 

Production, launch, and operation of a 3U cubesat capable of measuring ice quality and quantity data using a passive microwave radiometer. 

• ArcticSat cubesat

• Design documentation for internal use and external review

• Verification documentation required by the CSA

• Accessible ice quality and quantity data

• Canadian Space Agency (CSA)

• ENGAP

• Dr. Joel Heath

• David Kattegatsiak

• Chesterfield Inlet (Igluligaarjuk), Nunavut

Increasing timely and accessible ice quality/quantity data to researchers and people of interest at Chesterfield Inlet. Training HQP in satellite design and manufacturing. Providing a platform for performing research using passive microwave remote sensing. 

• UM STARLab

• UM CEOS

• Dr. Dustin Isleifson

• Dr. John Yackel

• Magellan Aerospace

• Precision ADM

• Datec Coatings Inc.

• Churchill High School Team

• Ecole Stonewall Team

• UM STARLab

• Student turnover/ knowledge transfer.

• Component shortages.

• Payload not able to accurately image ice and water.

• Inadvertent damage to electronics during assembly.

• Iris cubesat bus will be extremely similar to ArcticSat bus in function.

• ArcticSat will require similar memory and computing power to Iris cubesat.