Tom Scott, a graduate student at Western Michigan University, saw his research reach new heights on May 5 when the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base carrying the Western Aerospace Thin-Sat into low Earth orbit. The launch marked the first time a satellite developed by students from the university has entered space.
The project represents a significant milestone for both Scott and the university’s aerospace engineering program. It was part of NearSpace Education’s Dream Big Mission, which included support from NASA and Firefly and challenged students to design a Thin-Sat payload for launch aboard a commercial rocket.
“This is the first Western satellite in space,” said Dr. Kristina Lemmer, professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering. “I’m really excited and proud of the students who worked on this, and especially Tom for going the extra mile and seeing it through to fruition. To have something of ours actually in space is so exciting!”
Scott described witnessing the event as “almost surreal,” saying, “It was pitch black and then all of a sudden, like a flash of lightning, everything lit up.” He added that working alongside other engineers to see their work go to space for the first time was unforgettable: “Growing up, I always read about planets and solar systems and astrophysics and things like that. I think all of that led me here.”
The mission took nearly two years to complete with help from members of the Western Aerospace Launch Initiative (WALI). The team designed instrumentation to test electrospray propulsion viability in space by measuring spacecraft charge and plasma density in the ionosphere. They tested their technology with high-altitude balloon launches before finalizing it for flight.
After graduation, Scott continued developing the project as part of his master’s studies at Western Michigan University (WMU), learning new programming skills with help from fellow student Brian Packard. “This project required so many different skill sets and gave me a greater understanding of how systems come together,” Scott said.
Now that Scott has graduated with his master’s degree on May 2, other WMU students will continue collecting data from the operational payload in orbit. Lemmer said, “This project will keep excitement going for the students as we look toward the next opportunity to send payloads to space.”
Western Michigan University enrolls more than 17,000 students; it fields 16 Division I varsity sports as part of its Mid-American Conference membership; supports inclusive excellence; promotes sustainability through LEED-certified buildings; emphasizes learner-focused education; maintains nationally ranked graduate programs; and pursues research-oriented initiatives globally according to its official website.
