Скачать или смотреть NSS Space Forum - The Tufts CubeSAT Team’s Bold Mission

National Space Society Space Forum, Feb 20, 2025 - Next-Gen Space Engineers: The Tufts CubeSAT Team’s Bold Mission

With Special Guests

Vanessa Bellotti
Senior, Computer Science
Tufts University

Andy Navarro
Junior, Mechanical Engineering
Tufts University

The next generation of space pioneers is here! Watch this inspiring NSS Space Forum featuring two exceptional student engineers, Vanessa Belloti and Andy Navarro of Tufts University, as they share their journey in developing an operational 2U CubeSat—a mission once reserved for seasoned aerospace professionals.

Tufts University’s Students for the Exploration and Development of Space (SEDS) is redefining student-led space innovation. The Tufts CubeSAT Team has been working on the Sensor Payload for Astute Classification and Evaluation of Residual Astronomical Components and Colliding Objects in Orbit Neighborhoods (SPACE RACCOON) project. Their SPACE RACCOON CubeSat is designed to detect and classify space debris in low-Earth orbit using an onboard camera, computer vision, and machine learning algorithms.
Despite lacking an aerospace program, this ambitious team of undergraduate students—spanning multiple disciplines—has overcome significant technical and resource challenges. Their recent application to the NASA CubeSat Launch Initiative marks a major milestone toward making their vision a reality.

Watch this Space Forum to learn:

• How students without an aerospace program are building a satellite from the ground up
• The challenges and breakthroughs in developing a CubeSat mission
• Their recent milestone—applying to the NASA CubeSat Launch Initiative
• The vital role of young innovators in shaping the future of space exploration and development

The talent, vision, and drive of these students mirror the pioneering spirit that will take us to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. They are the next wave of space industry innovators!

Vanessa Bellotti is a senior at Tufts University School of Engineering majoring in Computer Science with a concentration in artificial intelligence. She has experience conducting visualization research and working in industry, including at Nvidia where she will be returning as an Enterprise AI Technical Marketing Engineer post-graduation. She has been the Project Lead of Tufts CubeSAT since her sophomore year and has been proud to share the team’s considerable technical and educational progress at venues such as SpaceVision 2024.

Andy Navarro is a Mechanical Engineering junior at Tufts University with experience in robotics and hardware development, including work at Amazon Robotics, and has led the mechanical and structures sub-teams. He is passionate about space technology and STEM outreach.