<p>The Massachusetts Institute of Technologys Graduate School of Engineering and Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics, in cooperation with the Air Force Space Commands Space and Missile Systems Center, announced two new fully-funded graduate scholarships for graduates of the USAFA FalconSAT program July 16, at the Air Force Academy. Cadets in the Class of 2010 will be the first eligible for this opportunity.</p>
<p>Professor David Miller, director of MITs Space System Lab, visited the Academy last week to receive updates on the FalconSAT program and was accompanied by 2nd Lts. Joe Robinson and John Richmond (Class of 2008) who are currently attending MIT pursuing their Masters degree in Space Systems Engineering.</p>
<p>Lieutenants Robinson and Richmond were chosen for their scholarships almost two years ago specifically for their FalconSAT experience and academic performance.</p>
<p>I am extremely impressed by the technical competence and leadership skills that the USAFA graduates bring to the department, Professor Miller says of the current students. I look forward to a continued relationship between the FalconSAT program and the SSL.</p>
<p>The relationship between USAFA and MIT SSL started when SMC approached MIT over two years ago, describing the need for competent junior officers in the space acquisitions and engineering fields. This led to the pathfinder program of the Space Engineering Academy, in which Lieutenants Robinson and Richmond are the first participants, picked based upon their experience in the FalconSAT program as chief engineers of FalconSAT-3 and FalconSAT-5. Three FalconSAT graduates from the Class of 2009, 2nd Lts. George Sondecker, Corey Crowell, and Matthew McCormack will also be participating in the program starting this Fall. All participants will be assigned to AF SMC after graduation to put their knowledge and experience into good use.</p>
<p>SMC needs a highly skilled technical workforce and we recognize that there is a positive difference between graduates of traditional, theory-based programs and programs in which students become involved in a hands-on way, said Col. Dave Swanson, SMC chief engineer. SMC is proud to have taken steps to create a pilot program at MIT aimed at giving future military members this unique and valuable experience. We hope that MIT is able to build on our support and expand the program to reach more military and civilian students.</p>
<p>FalconSAT is the worlds premiere undergraduate small satellite senior capstone design course. </p>
<p>Administered by the Department of Astronautics and the Academys Space Systems Research Center, FalconSAT is a multi-disciplinary, year-long course taken by senior cadets from a variety of academic majors. Each years FalconSAT cadet team forms a company that meets government requirement for design, integration, manufacture, testing, and operation of satellite containing Department of Defense-sponsored space technology demonstrations and experiments.</p>
<p>Cadets and faculty are currently operating FalconSAT-3 on-orbit, following its March 2007 launch, as in completing construction of the flight model of FalconSAT-5, now scheduled for launch from Kodiak, Alaska in February, 2010. FalconSAT-6 mission design was initiated by members of the Class of 2009 and is planned for a 2012 launch. The overall program, which began in the mid-90s with a series of payloads carried to high altitudes via weather balloons, had its first on-orbit success with the FalconGOLD satellite that demonstrated in 1998 that GPS signals could be received by satellite at altitudes above the GPS constellation.</p>
<p>Cadets from the Astronautical Engineering, Physics, Engineering, Mechanics, Electrical Engineering, Space Operations, Systems Engineering, and Systems Engineering Management majors have all participated in FalconSAT over the last 10 years, with several earning competitive, national graduate scholarships because of their work. The new graduate program offered by MIT is the first permanently sponsored graduate program linked directly to the FalconSAT program and open to all cadets participating in the course.</p>
<p>Weve always had a great relationship with SMC and MITs graduate schooland our cadets have had tremendous success in recent years landing scholarships in perhaps the worlds finest aerospace graduate school, said Col. Marty France, Astronautics Department Head. This program serves as formal validation of our own programs quality and will be a great incentive to those cadets who work so hard and accomplish so much in our program.</p>
<p>Space Systems Research Center Director, Lt. Col. Tim Lawrence was instrumental in gaining SMC funding and MIT institutional support for FalconSAT cadets. Not only does this validate our own programs success, but its also great feedback for us because this offer wouldnt have been made if our graduates of recent years werent doing great things at MIT already, Colonel Lawrence said. In the last three years, 11 FalconSAT grads have earned MIT grad scholarships.</p>
<p>Lieutenant Robinson said this program isnt only a reward for success in FalconSAT, but also an investment to the future development of Air Force space assets. Much like the FalconSAT program, the MIT program curriculum is focused on ensuring that graduates will be technically competent for their future as developmental engineers for the Air Force. With both the experiences from USAFA and MIT, the graduates will assist in assuring the continued superiority of DoD space assets.</p>