Western Michigan University announced on May 5 that a student-designed satellite has entered low Earth orbit aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. Tom Scott, who recently earned his master’s degree in aerospace engineering, watched the launch from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California as his payload, the Western Aerospace Thin-Sat, was carried into the ionosphere.
The event marks a significant milestone for both Scott and the university. “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 launch as surreal: “It was almost surreal. It was pitch black and then all of a sudden, like a flash of lightning, everything lit up.” He added that experiencing the moment alongside other engineers made it 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 was part of NearSpace Education’s Dream Big Mission program supported by NearSpace Launch, NASA, and Firefly.
The project began nearly two years ago when Western Michigan University was one of six universities selected to participate in designing Thin-Sat payloads for flight on a SpaceX rocket. As an undergraduate at the time—and structures lead for WALI (Western Aerospace Launch Initiative)—Scott took charge with three other students to design instrumentation testing electrospray propulsion viability in space. The probe they developed measures spacecraft charge and plasma density; initial tests used high-altitude balloon launches reaching nearly 100,000 feet.
After graduation by some team members left work unfinished until Scott continued as a master’s student—recruiting help from peers such as computer science major Brian Packard to program data collection software using Python. “Without Brian’s help,” Scott said, “I’m not sure that ever would have happened.” The Thin-Sat joined 118 other payloads aboard Transporter-16 into orbit—a win-win experience reinforcing research skills while strengthening resumes.
With Scott’s recent graduation on May 2nd, future students will continue monitoring data from the operational payload now circling Earth. Lemmer said: “This project will keep excitement going for the students as we look toward the next opportunity to send payloads to space.”
According to the official website, Western Michigan University enrolls more than 17,000 students; fields 16 Division I varsity sports; supports inclusive excellence; promotes sustainability with LEED-certified buildings; has top-100 graduate programs nationally; and emphasizes education that is learner-focused, research-oriented and globally involved.