Air Force Academy cadets benefit from AFOSR funding Published May 31, 2007 By Maria Callier Air Force Office of Scientific Research Public Affairs ARLINGTON, Va. -- The Air Force Office of Scientific Research is currently funding a research program at the U.S. Air Force Academy which allows cadets to design and build a satellite and, post-launch, continue to operate it from the academy's satellite ground station. The most recent satellite created by cadets is FalconSat-3. Launched in March from Cape Canaveral, Fla., the satellite currently is conducting weather and spacecraft experiments 100,000 feet above the earth. The 120-pound, 18-inch square orbiter blasted off with five scientific experiments onboard which are expected to support a number of Department of Defense research initiatives. The experiments characterize the plasma turbulence in the environment around the satellite, suppress the vibration caused by the stresses of launch and investigate shape and structural stability through the rigors of launch and space. Officials say they expect the satellite to be in orbit for at least one year. During this time, the satellite will provide valuable data to the Air Force Academy's physics department, the Air Force Research Laboratory and other DOD agencies. AFOSR began funding the FalconSat program six years ago. The FalconSat program's purpose is to educate cadets in fields related to space. According to Col. Michael C. Hatfield, AFOSR commander and deputy director, FalconSat is a significant program. "It is a great example of how we can successfully partner between our organic Air Force academia, research and systems acquisition organizations to provide a product of benefit to the entire Air Force and DOD," said Colonel Hatfield. Added FalconSat program manager Lt. Col. Timothy J. Lawrence, "The FalconSat-3 program would never have gotten off the ground without the partial funding provided by AFOSR and the expertise provided by the U.S. Air Force Academy." The program is overseen by the Academy's Space Systems Research Center. The center runs the multi-disciplinary, two-semester astronautical engineering course where cadets put theory into practice.