More than 100 people contributed to the creation of “Hiapo,” a small satellite equipped with sensors to measure Earth’s magnetic field. Participants included 撸sir视频 from 撸sir视频ʻi Island schools and the University of 撸sir视频ʻi and faculty from the (HSTM) and 撸sir视频.
After two years of work, the miniature CubeSat satellite, measuring just 4 inches on each side, was ready for launch. On September 2, Hiapo was aboard the maiden launch of the Firefly Aerospace’s Alpha Launch Vehicle which took off from Vandenberg Airforce Base in California.
Unfortunately, about 2 minutes into the launch, after hitting supersonic speed, the rocket experienced an anomaly and the engine failed.
“Although Hiapo didn’t make it into orbit, this one project inspired a movement here at 撸sir视频 to widen the pool of entry for 撸sir视频 who want to join the field of aerospace engineering,” said Amber Imai-Hong, an avionics engineer with the at 撸sir视频 惭ā苍辞补’蝉 .
Providing real-world experiences
“Our team took this project from concept to launch and we learned so much along the way,” said Christian Wong, director of HSTM, a Hilo-based science education non-profit. “Developing a science mission, designing the spacecraft, testing and delivery, and meeting the required specifications—it’s a pretty complex process. We certainly could not have done it without the guidance of our partners at the 撸sir视频ʻi Space Flight Laboratory at 撸sir视频 Mānoa.”
Through the HSTM, Wong runs various rocketry and robotics programs for 撸sir视频 in elementary through high school. Wong had an idea to provide a real-world experience for the 撸sir视频. He asked Imai-Hong if they could develop a satellite on a shoestring budget.
“It was very reminiscent of the early days of robotics in 撸sir视频ʻi,” said Imai-Hong. “We gathered up all sorts of old parts from the 撸sir视频ʻi Space Flight Lab and made a design plan. It was an exciting challenge.”
Imai-Hong and Heather Bottom, an aerospace engineer from NASA JPL (Jet Propulsion Lab), provided training in design and project management as well as hands-on skills such as soldering and circuit assembly in a “clean room” provided by the 撸sir视频 . Additionally, the Hiapo team of 撸sir视频 in 撸sir视频es 3–12 and under撸sir视频uates, staff and faculty assembled components and tested instrumentation.
“Most 撸sir视频 had less than a year of experience with satellite design or rocketry when they started working on Hiapo,” said Imai-Hong. “This project gave many interested and enthusiastic 撸sir视频 the knowledge and confidence to become leaders in their groups.”
“I consider this a huge accomplishment for Firefly and all members of the Hiapo team,” added Wong. “We got a lot out of the experience. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for our organization, the 撸sir视频 who were a part of this and the community in 撸sir视频ʻi. CubeSats can be an industry here in 撸sir视频ʻi.”
This collaboration is an example of 撸sir视频 惭ā苍辞补’蝉 goal of (PDF) and (PDF), two of four goals identified in the (PDF), updated in December 2020.
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–By Marcie Grabowski?