FASTRAC Satellites Leave Texas
June 25, 2006
Greg Holt
The first student-built satellites from the University of Texas made their final trip from the Satellite Design Lab and began the first leg of their eventual voyage to space. As proud team members looked on, the satellites were loaded into a specially contracted truck for the ride to the Air Force Research Laboratory test facilities in Albuquerque.
Many hours of hard work accompanied the sendoff of the pair, now affectionately named "Sara Lily" and "Emma" after Tom and George's newborns. There were the usual last minute bugs to work out, but the team persevered with the same tenacity that has brought them to this remarkable stage. The students experienced a mixture of elation and bittersweet emotion upon seeing the satellites leave, but an overall atmosphere of excitement is still present as the next phase of the FASTRAC mission begins.
Upon arrival at the AEF lab in Albuquerque, the satellites will be put through a regimen of testing to simulate the launch and orbit environment. This will include vibration, temperature extremes, and vacuum conditions. FASTRAC student manager Jamin Greenbaum will spend the summer at the test facility coordinating and supporting these tests.
Congratulations to all the FASTRAC team members on an amazing milestone in this mission!
News Archive
December 1, 2011 - FASTRAC Digipeating Announcement by Sebastián Muñoz
March 9, 2011 - FASTRAC is Separating!! by Sebastian Muñoz
November 20, 2010 - FASTRAC Is In Orbit! by
November 19, 2010 - FASTRAC is launching Tonight!!!! by
November 2, 2010 - FASTRAC is launching this Month!!! by S. Munoz and E. Ferguson
April 19, 2010 - FASTRAC Ready to go into Space!! by Sebastian Munoz
June 26, 2008 - FASTRAC Satellites Get Updated Software, New Antennas by Stephen Clark
March 8, 2008 - FASTRAC Satellites to Set Up and Ship Out! by Eric Hagen
August 27, 2006 - Satellites Undergoing Testing at AFRL by Glenn Lightsey
June 25, 2006 - FASTRAC Satellites Leave Texas by Greg Holt
June 14, 2006 - FASTRAC Frequency Request Submitted by Glenn Lightsey
December 15, 2005 - FASTRAC Mission Receives Critical D.O.D. Ranking for Launch by Jamin Greenbaum
April 20, 2005 - FASTRAC Personnel Changes by Glenn Lightsey
January 11, 2005 - FASTRAC Victorious, Headed to Space! by Glenn Lightsey
January 7, 2005 - FASTRAC Headed to Nevada for Competition by Glenn Lightsey
January 3, 2005 - FASTRAC Satellite Completes Thermal/Vacuum Test by Glenn Lightsey
December 19, 2004 - Satellite Integration Nears Completion by Glenn Lightsey
December 7, 2004 - FASTRAC Thermal Vac Testing Progresses by Greg Holt
November 28, 2004 - Solar Cells See Sunlight by Greg Holt
July 27, 2004 - FASTRAC Separation Test aboard KC-135 a Success! by FASTRAC team
May 15, 2004 - Balloon Satellite by FASTRAC team
