The University of Colorado was selected to contribute one of 24
miniature satellites, known as CubeSats, to fly as auxiliary
payloads aboard rocket missions scheduled to launch in 2014,
2015 and 2016, NASA announced Tuesday. CubeSats, as described by
NASA, belong to a class of research spacecraft called
nanosatellites. They measure about 4 inches on each side, are
about 1 quart in volume and can weigh less than 3 pounds. The
selections announced on Tuesday represent the fourth round of
NASA's CubeSat Launch Initiative. Those selected in the this
round will be eligible for flight after final negotiations and
when an opportunity for flight is available. The satellites
conduct science missions, educational research and technology
demonstrations, and usually are the product of significant
student contributions. Other institutions with CubeSat proposals
selected by NASA in the latest round come from institutions as
diverse as NASA's Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, Calif.,
and Merritt Island High School, Fla.