  As part of University College Dublin's MSc in Space Science & Technology
curriculum, student teams, over the course of a single term, design, build,
launch (on a meteorological balloon), operate and recover their own payload on
a standardised platform. Each 'TupperSat' must be built from, or contained
within, a household plastic storage container, It must weigh less than 1kg, be
able to determine location, altitude, internal and external temperature and air
pressure, and be able to broadcast this information using an in-house
communications system. Students must also design and build a scientific payload
or novel technology demonstration to fly on their TupperSat. Notable examples
include an earth observation vegetation sensor, particle sample return,
gamma-ray detector, and air-bag landing system. The instructors play the role
of customer and launch authority. The students are provided with a number of
standard components including a Raspberry Pi single-board computer, a 5000 mAH
battery, high-altitude-compatible GPS unit, temperature and pressure sensors
and, a small low-power radio transceiver module developed specifically for the
course based on the LoRa standard. Teams are given a budget of EUR 100 ($115)
to purchase additional materials and to build their payload. The students learn
space industry practices by full immersion in a typical space project
development cycle. TupperSat design and payload concepts are pitched by the
student teams at a Preliminary Design Review; plans are well developed before a
Critical Design Review, and the team must pass a Flight Readiness Review before
being granted permission to launch. Good project management is crucial in order
to meet deadlines and secure a launch at the end of the term. As student
participation has grown, the module has been modified to allow for more
ambitious and challenging projects which further motivates the students.
