SAL-E (CP 16)

SAL-E (CP 16) [Calpoly]

SAL-E (Streamlined Assembled Learning Experiment) is a 3U Cubesat developed by the student-run CubeSat Laboratory at California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly), San Luis Obispo, USA. Named in honor of astronaut Sally Ride, the mission serves primarily as an educational platform while demonstrating new radiation sensing and radio communication technologies.

The project is carried out entirely by volunteer students, providing hands-on experience in all phases of a satellite mission, including design, assembly, testing, integration, launch preparation, spacecraft operations, and ground station management. In addition to training students in spacecraft engineering and mission operations, the satellite will collect radiation measurements in low Earth orbit and make the data publicly available.

SAL-E carries two technology demonstration payloads. The Computer Architecture Research Project (CARP) payload evaluates a microchip designed as a novel radiation sensor for the space environment. A second payload demonstrates a new radio communication device while also monitoring activity in the 902.3–914.9 MHz frequency band using a receive-only radio system. Together, the payloads support technology validation and provide data for research and education.