University at Buffalo Nanosatellite Laboratory

Aviation and Aerospace Component ManufacturingNew York, United States11-50 Employees

The University at Buffalo Nanosatellite Laboratory or UBNL began in 2011 under the guidance of our Principal Investigator, Dr. John Crassidis, to assist with his research. Today, UBNL is a diverse and completely volunteer group of undergraduate and graduate students who work with the Air Force Research Lab (AFRL) and NASA to build small satellites from concept to launch. We currently have two missions under development which focus on space domain awareness. Past missions have focused on laser communication systems and surveying the RF noise environment on orbit. 

Our eldest mission, GLADOS is funded through the AFRL's University Nanosatellite Program (UNP). Along with our yearlong missions, the Short Cycle Lab (SCL) has various projects including mobile ground station and high altitude balloon builds with scientific payloads ranging from RF to optical. To learn more about each mission, please visit us at ubnl.space. 

UBNL has grown exponentially over the years from a small group of 20-30 students to well over 150. We welcome students of all disciplines, grades, and skill levels to join us. We are happy to teach new members the skills they need to succeed in any of our subsystems and have opportunities for anyone to become a leader. Our members have worked at nearly every major aerospace company in the United States, from NASA and SpaceX to Northrop Grumman and Lockheed Martin. They routinely represent UB and UBNL at a number of conferences every year and our alum have attended some of the best graduate schools in the country. If you are interested in learning more about UBNL and our missions or you are ready to join the lab family, go to ubnl.space.

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